Proverbs 3:12 “for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights”
What do you think of when you read the word “reprove”? I actually found myself thinking of baking. When we make bread we go through an initial process called “proving”. This process involves resting in warm conditions so that the yeast that is in the dough can do its work and be proved to be in existence. Most bakers will go through this process twice, kneading and stretching the dough before proving both times.
I love this picture, it seems in my mind to capture my walk with God. I go through stretching experiences where my tolerances are tested, and then after that, I rest and allow the yeast that is in me to have its work so that I can be fit for purpose. God is at work in us, He lives in our heart, as we are stretched thin in places by life and the troubles we are promised [John 16:33]. God living in us will reprove us, shape our character, cause us to rise up and be fit for use. In the stretching, we grow and in the resting, He proves Himself true.
Our purpose is to live a life of service to others in a relationship with God. It’s as we commit to this that God works in us and reproves us just as a loving father guides his child to be the best he can. Right, I’m away to bake some bread………
KNOWLEDGE
One of our greatest ongoing quests as humans is to find and to know love. Here we have a glimpse into the heart of God and his everlasting, always working, never-failing love. We may expect that God’s love will be based on what we think we need, provision, safety, comfort, and community. That’s not what we read here though – we read about the evidence of God’s love being that we will be corrected, chastened and chided.
We might pause for thought here and ask ourselves first if that’s our daily expectation, and secondly if that’s our current daily experience? It’s from a heart that is delighted with us that God moves in and into our lives, the debts are fully paid, He is so very happy with us. You are his favoured child. He treats you as the special one. You are established in a deep and everlasting relationship with him. He will provide evidence of His love, as he guides you into the fullness of life, through being fruitful, which will undoubtedly require some changes on your part [and mine].
We can rejoice and be glad in the evidence of his love – as James so wisely puts it “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. [James 1:2]
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
Isn’t it amazing to think of God “delighting” in us? The Hebrew word sounds like “rasa” and has 59 mentions in the Old Testament. It is translated [ESV] as accepted; enjoy; amends; favourite; reconcile; devotion; pleasure; popular; pleased; approve; pleasure; observe, and pardon. Wow!
For us reading Prov 3:12, we could understand this as “God takes great pleasure in accepting us”.
WISDOM: What are your expectations of evidence of God’s love?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Relator – you are authentic and trustworthy, and can so step into the more difficult relational areas. Be careful not to form cliques.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [For God who self exists and is faithful to all his commitments to you chastens those for whom he has pure affection. Just as a father who establishes his family and covers all their debts is pleased with his children.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me today to see you as my loving father and respond with a pure heart. Thank you.
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Pastor Allan. I love the the example you have used with the preparation of bread. I feel we also go through a process of refinement and ultimately growth.
Love this. In seasons we are stretched and grown. He is with us every step.
Love the analogy of the bread and the process. So good.
Thank you for the reminder that He delights in me.
Thank you Pastor Allan. Even though it hurts when we are stretched and disciplined, we know for sure that He is with us and doing it for our growth!
I love the analogy of bread making. It painted such a clearer picture for me when it comes to God working in us and through us in our situations. My take home is that our capacity does not get realised if we don’t go through challenging situations in life. Thank you Allan.
It is good to reflect on what I consider the evidence of God’s love in my life to be. There are so many times I’d prayed believing if God could do it that would be great… and plenty of times I took it into my own hands and needed God’s reproof. A very painful experience for my flesh. Not getting my way. But as I have grown in faith and expectation of His Will Be Done, I watch time and again God fulfilling His promises for my life and others. It is so evident He loves me .It is amazing to look back over circumstances and know God was in it! Giving him the glory enlarges my life and there is a dependance on Him, not me .
“You are established in a deep and everlasting relationship with him.”
These words jumped off the page and spoke to my heart this morning.
That’s it really! The Father, MY Heavenly Father, in whom I have everlasting relationship with, the ONLY ONE who will NEVER leave me, loves me and therefore wants me to be all He’s created me to be, so in LOVE will correct my flawed, broken human nature with the ultimate goal of making me look more like Jesus. This is true perfect love and reason to rest, feel safe, trust and wholeheartedly rejoice.
Thank you Pastor Allan. So beautiful!
Today’s message is food for thought. “Its in the stretching that we grow and in the resting that He proves Himself true.” Despite the trials of life I have no regrets because at the end of the day I know that I have been stretched and can reflect on God’s love and delight in me. In my former self I wouldn’t have been aware that God was stretching me and wouldn’t have known the enormous love of a Father who truly loves me. Thanks Pastor Allan.
When we are corrected by God it’s always with love .
I pray that I will cultivate a heart open for council and correction when I’m not walking on the right path,
Trusting My God with every part of my life ,knowing that the out come when we chose to be Obidient will never disdapoint us .
God’s always Got the best for his children at his heart .
I love the word ‘proving’.
The Lord’s love is with discipline. He stretches us but with healthy boundaries that doesn’t break us,but allows us to full potential.
My prayer is also that the Lord will ignite “the first love” and that He will delight in us.
Thank you Ps Allan for bringing out the gold nuggets from Proverbs!
It’s very interesting that without seeing God’s correction in my life I cannot truly know His love for me. I am a flawed human being so without God’s reproof I am doomed for failure in walking out the purposes & destiny for my life in service & relationship with Him & others. This is the only place where I can flourish & be totally fulfilled so as much as it’s not easy to embrace God’s stretching the Book of James is so revelatory in helping me to understand why this is so necessary. Like the great analogy of bread I need to expand & grow through allowing the yeast of the Holy Spirit to reprove me to be the best I can be!! Another great encouragement thanks Pastor Allan!!
A beautiful message which explains God’s love for us as His children. We need to be open to His correction as we grow to be the whole and responsible son or daughter that He wants us to be.
There is nothing more precious than to have an everlasting relationship with Him.
Thank you, Pastor Allan.
God living in us will reprove us, shape our character, cause us to rise up and be fit for use. In the stretching we grow and in the resting He proves Himself true.
Love this thought Allan.
This verse is highlighted in my Bible and has always reminded me to see the trials and problems I face in life in a different perspective. It’s a beautiful thought to know He cares and that’s why He corrects !
Beautiful illustration Allan.Thank you !