Proverbs 5:12 and you say – how I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
In the early days of training, I hated the assault course. We did not always know when it was coming, but as soon as we were marched in a certain direction you kind of knew that the assault course was the next ordeal.
Occasionally when the tide was out we would go straight past the assault course, into the muddy estuary where we would have to do sit-ups and press-ups in the knee-deep mud, then fireman’s lifts and short sprints with our friends on our shoulders. Both are covered from head to toe in slick, clay-like, mud.
But more often than not we stopped at the ropes – the first item on the course and there in groups of six (while the others ran on the spot) we would be set to climb the 10-metre high rope and touch the knot at the top. We would be expected to do this often at the end of the course as well when we were covered in mud. We were taught to tell ourselves “it’s just pain”.
The course itself was a series of demanding challenges to climb over or under or run along. There was a maximum time allowed and if you failed then you went back to the beginning and did it again, and again….the idea was to find out where your breaking point was really.
Part of the assault course was a small steep embankment, maybe 40 metres long, but at a very steep incline. We would do sprints up this, over and over, as many times as the instructors demanded. It was heartbreaking at times.
One day though I had a wee epiphany moment, and I realised that my attitude was actually part of the problem. I went there already predetermined that it was too hard, that I hated it and that I would probably struggle, and just wanted it to be over. So, in truth, I was not really engaged. That day I threw away my old thinking and embraced a new approach. I threw myself with all I had into what was before me, believing that I would give my best until I dropped. I never did really “drop”. It was a game-changer for that moment and for the rest of my life. When I am involved in the tough moments now I still try to check my attitude as a first step.
KNOWLEDGE
What does your internal conversation sound like normally? What does it sound like when you are under pressure? What do you think it might sound like if you knew you were facing the imminent end of your life? Our conversation with others can at times be a reflection of what we think they want to hear, and even with God at times we can be insincere.
The writer here in Proverbs 5:12 is giving us a snapshot of the internal conversation of the person mentioned in the previous verse who is right at the end of their life. There is a recognition, a regret, a revelation, but no repentance.
The recognition is connected to the new understanding of the foolishness of our ways and the destination that was always going to be.
The regret is the confrontation of the attitude of our hearts, and the empty harvest of our labours.
The revelation is the new insight into where we are right now. How hollow is this moment, how devastating this new self-awareness, hastened by the approaching encounter with death? There would seem to be no hope, no avenue of escape and no possibility of redemption.
Praise God for the New Testament, the new covenant with God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Repentance is the gift of God, who through his kindness in sending Jesus to pay for our sins, has now made a way, where there was no way. He is the way. All we have to do is accept him as our Lord and Saviour. It’s not a hard thing it’s a heart thing!
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?
The word “discipline” in Hebrew is pronounced as “musar”. This word appears 50 times in the Old Testament. In the ESV this word is translated into English as, discipline; warnings; instruction; chastisement; punishment; and, correction.
In verse twelve here we pick up on the idea of “correcting errant behaviour”.
WISDOM – How would you answer God if he asked you today “where are you?”.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Developer is all about others reaching their potential. Your care and belief enable change and celebrating small steps are natural to you. Your questions unlock established logjams.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [and you declare that you have shunned any restraint, your inner person spurned, abhorred and rejected all corrections or rebuke.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to stay open to your leading, especially when you are talking to me about change for my own good. Thank you.
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Thank you pastor Allan.
What does your internal conversation sound like normally? What does it sound like when you are under pressure? What do you think it might sound like if you knew you were facing the imminent end of your life?
Really great questions.
So true, our attitudes towards things we are facing is something important for us to be aware of and to always check.
Thanks Ps Allan.
Just as a child needs our reproof our discipline and correction to be a better individual, we all as believers can excel in our life under the hand of a loving father who disciplines, corrects and shows us the error of our ways. That we would live a big life in Him not hindered by our mindset or continual sin or arrogance to acknowledge the error of our ways.
Rejecting the correction in our life does mean we live limited , small and a life without wholeness therefore a broken life .
Thank you Allan great revelation
Checking our attitude in any situation can be tricky at times. But with practice it can be life changing as illustrated. At work it is a good attitude that makes the team smile and going the extra mile helps to lighten the work load. I appreciate today’s message Pastor Allan.
Allan, your messages are so good for the soul! I love the prophetic edge and wanted to encourage you, ‘your questions’ do unlock ‘established log jams’. Thank you for being such a blessing…
Self discipline is a fruit of the H.S and something we often want for a certain aspect of our life. Long ago God showed me it doesn’t work that way, for self discipline to be in our lives it has to be in every aspect of life! The saying, “attitude sets our altitude “ is so true.
Thank you Allan for a timely reminder.
Hi ps Allan ; thx u for God words; wow other part in ur story life ; you should do a book
Bcos in every part I was read ; u Give to me More chance Of learning about wisdom
God bless
Thx u
Thanks Pastor Allan – I can feel your pain!! The simple joy of a shower afterwards!!!
Another great truth! Discipline & pain are a given in life but as you say how we approach them & with what kind of attitude will ultimately make or break us!! The sooner we learn to discern our attitude in any given situation particularly the hard ones the sooner we will realize that God wants the very best for our lives & His correction & discipline will help mould us into the person He’s planned us to be & to fulfil His calling & destiny. This is the only place where we will be totally fulfilled in & where we will fully flourish & prosper.
So good pastor Alan, the assault course was always challenging, but it was never about an individual it was always about platoon effort, getting through the course together as a team to complete the course, now we are with a Godly team trying finish our course by saving as much souls as possible, before we complete our journey through life 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏾
Thanks Ps Allan for sharing! God bless you.
Our conversation to others can be at times a reflection of what we think they want to hear and even with God at times we can be insincere.
Thank you JESUS for the price you paid for our sins and for making a way where seemed to be no way. You are the way the truth and the life , you are our LORD and saviour – Hallellujah !
It’s not a hard thing, it’s a heart thing! Wow! So powerful.
This takes me back to schooldays and the very strict disciplinarians— the nuns. We protested, we “despised reproof”, but to no avail. Today I realise how valuable their discipline turned out to be.
I love the “wee epiphany moment” where we learn that our attitude makes such a big difference in our actions.
We need to open our eyes, look at ourselves and make changes before we regret things we have done.
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for this valuable lesson.
Thanks Ps Allan for this great reminder.
So much wisdom and so true about how we see things differently when we change our attitude. So important to check our attitudes.
“Repentance is a gift from God”
I’m very grateful that God in His grace and love chose to forgive me of my sin and gave me such hope for a brand new life in Him.
Pastor Adrian recently did a great sermon on this very subject. Oh how our self talk can hold us back. LORD renew my mind.