Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness!
Wednesday's Devotion (5-9-07)
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11 (KJV)
Chastening is kind of like a diet, which I'm on now. At first it is grievous, you feel hungry still after eating the smaller portions... But once the diet is over, you reap the joyous reward: You look better, and you feel better all around. Chastening is correction, so when you're corrected by the Lord or anyone it doesn't always feel joyous at first, but the end result is the peaceable fruit of righteousness! The Lord will help you make things in your life right. He'll help you right the wrongs you've made.
I'll tell you, it's not fun being chastened by the Lord, just like it's not fun to have your parents take a belt to your rear end. However, just like a parent the Lord does it because He loves you! The end result of His chastening will always be what is best for you, that's the promise that we have. So, if you're going through something right now... Just remember that the Lord is on your side, and it'll all work out for your best! Have peace in that. And sometimes before things get better, things get worse. I remember before I turned 19, I was having a tough time spiritually. 10 days before my 19th birthday my dad passed away... So, naturally my spirit was broken. Things got worse, and I got worse. I started to get angry at the smallest of things, which wasn't my way really. I developed a short temper. I'd blow up at a moment's notice. I did pray for patience shortly before that, so I take it all as a lesson in patience. I got worse before I got better. I'm still not where I need to be, but I'm getting better! And by the time the Lord has finished this work, I will reap that peaceable fruit of righteousness!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who've sinned against us. Help us to appreciate your chastening of us, and that of those who love us. Don't let us be bitter or angry about it, and let us reap that joyous, peaceable fruit of righteousness! In Jesus name. A-men!
God bless