I was complaining the other day and a bit ungrateful. I made the mistake of voicing that to a friend. I should have simply taken my frustration to the LORD. I needn’t have worried that God would miss my attitude, however. He did not. Before I went to bed that night, I had to get right with Him. I repented and asked forgiveness. He gave it, then helped me to change my attitude the next morning. Perhaps that is why this next blessing is so important.
“Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble….” [Ps 94:12-13]
“How Happy!” we are in the midst of discipline. Most of us would shout “Not!” at the end of that statement.
Discipline isn’t usually something that we associate with happiness. And yet, when discipline is received correctly, when we allow ourselves to learn what God wants to teach us, discipline can create happiness in us.
The psalmist tells us how that happiness takes shape after discipline … it becomes “relief from days of trouble.”
God was gracious to me the other day. He did not allow that ungratefulness to linger in my life. He did not allow it to take root and bring deeper and more lasting problems. In the space of a few hours, He grabbed my attention, poured out a spirit of godly sorrow over my actions, and brought forgiveness to me.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing me in discipline, for restraining my wayward ways and bringing me relief from days of trouble. Amen.
