Rev. Don Campbell

Jeremiah 10-13

THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 10, 2019

“JEREMIAH’S PRAYER FOR JUSTICE”

Jeremiah continues announcing the Lord’s indictment against Judah. He had been told not to pray for them (Jeremiah 7:16) and this prohibition is repeated in 11:14. Between those two prohibitions, Jeremiah prays for himself: “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not irn man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing” (10:23-24). Solomon said, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?” (Proverbs 20:24).

When believers stray from the path, they need correction or discipline. When Jeremiah prayed that God would correct him in justice, not anger, he was praying for discipline that was restorative, not destructive. Writing about restorative or redemptive discipline, the writer of Hebrews said, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:7-11, NIV).

In our book “Parenting the First 12 Years: What We Wish We Had Known 50 Years Ago,” my wife and I advised that parents should discipline out of anger and frustration, but for the child’s own good. When a parent derives pleasure from correcting a child, whether by spanking or some other means, they may have a sadistic gene or two, rather than a God-like love for the child which must be disciplined for his or her own good.

CONNECTIONS

1. If hurting someone, whether the hurt is physical or emotional, brings us pleasure, are we not more satanic than godly?

2. If pronouncing God’s judgment against sinners gives us pleasure, is Christ dwelling within us? (Luke 19:41)