Lamentations 3:27-33
And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline. Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
As I was placing back all my photo albums and sorting through the cupboards, I chanced upon 2 encouragement cards given to me some many years ago. One of them was written by my school friend from my primary school days and alonside his personal note, he had this verse written in outstanding red "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young ".
It's a really bizarre statement (of truth) which I'm sure any youth would vehemently reject it as rubbish. Simply because the bible says it is good for youths to submit to the yoke of discipline and yet, youths hate being disciplined for anything they do.
Youth is about rebellion, freedom of thoughts, feelings and myriad of emotions. The world is a youth's oyster and boundaries and rules simply constrict the vigour and energy which youths possess. We've already gone through the importance of Ecclesiastes 12:1 which expounds on how we are to spend our youthful energies on God and the things of God before life makes us jaded and forget God.
Why then does the bible say it is good for youths to be disciplined? Why target out at youths only? Moreover if you read the verse thoroughly, its harsh discipline which is being enforced. We are not talking about modern day counselling, discussions and reprimands.
The bible talks about silent isolation beneath the Lord's demands. (I'm seeing an image of reform prision or detention barracks as I make out this statement) . Likewise, the proposal of lying down face down in dust, accepting enemies' insults and turning the other cheek to be struck are all hard tasks to endure. Such is the discipline described that it would make one feel that the Lord has no compassion and has abandoned the individual. Surely these and more would break a person into submission or make one leave the faith in frustration. But, let us remember that God is not a sadist creator God neither is He a tormentor.
The season when I received that encouragement card was at a time when I received my exam results and I was so bitterly disappointed with what I had obtained. It must had badly affected my mood and behaviour in school to warrant this encouragement. As long as I can recall, I've been a handful to deal with. If today I were to remain the youth that I was, I'll be an angry, impulsive smart alec. My world was all about what I felt, how freely I expressed myself and what I wanted. Any other things which I simply couldn't care less about, I didn't. I'm quite sure then that I was like any other typical teen today, or at least similiar to typical aggressive high-D character.
The breaking of a "I", "Me, & "Myself" must happen to us in order for us to be Godly, God-fearing characters. More so when we recognise that we have been redeemed and purchase by the blood of Jesus Christ and God doesn't tolerate that His children live like an ordinary ungodly person, undifferentiated from the pack. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Thus Paul strongly emphasised to the church of Ephesus of the need to be set-apart; "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."
It really no wonder that with a youths emotions and the vicious evilness of the last days, the wisdom of a creator God would be to subject us to discipline when we are most fiery and when we start going astray before our character settles when we reach adulthood. Note the words of "It is good" to let us know that it is really a good thing to be taught and remoulded for God's glory when we are young. It's really similiar to the principle of teaching young dogs tricks because it's much harder to teach an old dog new tricks.
Let's come to an understanding today that discipline from the Lord, though harsh and uncompromising, is for our good and for the preservation of our life and salvation. The Lord only disciplines us when we go wayward and not for His own pleasure. Proverbs records many wise proverbs about discipline, one of which I pray will speak to your life when you go through a season of chastisement "Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."
Blessings,
M.
"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
31 January 2007
Good for Youths to submit to Discipline
Lamentations 3:27-33
And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline. Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
As I was placing back all my photo albums and sorting through the cupboards, I chanced upon 2 encouragement cards given to me some many years ago. One of them was written by my school friend from my primary school days and alonside his personal note, he had this verse written in outstanding red "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young ".
It's a really bizarre statement (of truth) which I'm sure any youth would vehemently reject it as rubbish. Simply because the bible says it is good for youths to submit to the yoke of discipline and yet, youths hate being disciplined for anything they do.
Youth is about rebellion, freedom of thoughts, feelings and myriad of emotions. The world is a youth's oyster and boundaries and rules simply constrict the vigour and energy which youths possess. We've already gone through the importance of Ecclesiastes 12:1 which expounds on how we are to spend our youthful energies on God and the things of God before life makes us jaded and forget God.
Why then does the bible say it is good for youths to be disciplined? Why target out at youths only? Moreover if you read the verse thoroughly, its harsh discipline which is being enforced. We are not talking about modern day counselling, discussions and reprimands.
The bible talks about silent isolation beneath the Lord's demands. (I'm seeing an image of reform prision or detention barracks as I make out this statement) . Likewise, the proposal of lying down face down in dust, accepting enemies' insults and turning the other cheek to be struck are all hard tasks to endure. Such is the discipline described that it would make one feel that the Lord has no compassion and has abandoned the individual. Surely these and more would break a person into submission or make one leave the faith in frustration. But, let us remember that God is not a sadist creator God neither is He a tormentor.
The season when I received that encouragement card was at a time when I received my exam results and I was so bitterly disappointed with what I had obtained. It must had badly affected my mood and behaviour in school to warrant this encouragement. As long as I can recall, I've been a handful to deal with. If today I were to remain the youth that I was, I'll be an angry, impulsive smart alec. My world was all about what I felt, how freely I expressed myself and what I wanted. Any other things which I simply couldn't care less about, I didn't. I'm quite sure then that I was like any other typical teen today, or at least similiar to typical aggressive high-D character.
The breaking of a "I", "Me, & "Myself" must happen to us in order for us to be Godly, God-fearing characters. More so when we recognise that we have been redeemed and purchase by the blood of Jesus Christ and God doesn't tolerate that His children live like an ordinary ungodly person, undifferentiated from the pack. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Thus Paul strongly emphasised to the church of Ephesus of the need to be set-apart; "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."
It really no wonder that with a youths emotions and the vicious evilness of the last days, the wisdom of a creator God would be to subject us to discipline when we are most fiery and when we start going astray before our character settles when we reach adulthood. Note the words of "It is good" to let us know that it is really a good thing to be taught and remoulded for God's glory when we are young. It's really similiar to the principle of teaching young dogs tricks because it's much harder to teach an old dog new tricks.
Let's come to an understanding today that discipline from the Lord, though harsh and uncompromising, is for our good and for the preservation of our life and salvation. The Lord only disciplines us when we go wayward and not for His own pleasure. Proverbs records many wise proverbs about discipline, one of which I pray will speak to your life when you go through a season of chastisement "Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."
Blessings,
M.
"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline. Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
As I was placing back all my photo albums and sorting through the cupboards, I chanced upon 2 encouragement cards given to me some many years ago. One of them was written by my school friend from my primary school days and alonside his personal note, he had this verse written in outstanding red "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young ".
It's a really bizarre statement (of truth) which I'm sure any youth would vehemently reject it as rubbish. Simply because the bible says it is good for youths to submit to the yoke of discipline and yet, youths hate being disciplined for anything they do.
Youth is about rebellion, freedom of thoughts, feelings and myriad of emotions. The world is a youth's oyster and boundaries and rules simply constrict the vigour and energy which youths possess. We've already gone through the importance of Ecclesiastes 12:1 which expounds on how we are to spend our youthful energies on God and the things of God before life makes us jaded and forget God.
Why then does the bible say it is good for youths to be disciplined? Why target out at youths only? Moreover if you read the verse thoroughly, its harsh discipline which is being enforced. We are not talking about modern day counselling, discussions and reprimands.
The bible talks about silent isolation beneath the Lord's demands. (I'm seeing an image of reform prision or detention barracks as I make out this statement) . Likewise, the proposal of lying down face down in dust, accepting enemies' insults and turning the other cheek to be struck are all hard tasks to endure. Such is the discipline described that it would make one feel that the Lord has no compassion and has abandoned the individual. Surely these and more would break a person into submission or make one leave the faith in frustration. But, let us remember that God is not a sadist creator God neither is He a tormentor.
The season when I received that encouragement card was at a time when I received my exam results and I was so bitterly disappointed with what I had obtained. It must had badly affected my mood and behaviour in school to warrant this encouragement. As long as I can recall, I've been a handful to deal with. If today I were to remain the youth that I was, I'll be an angry, impulsive smart alec. My world was all about what I felt, how freely I expressed myself and what I wanted. Any other things which I simply couldn't care less about, I didn't. I'm quite sure then that I was like any other typical teen today, or at least similiar to typical aggressive high-D character.
The breaking of a "I", "Me, & "Myself" must happen to us in order for us to be Godly, God-fearing characters. More so when we recognise that we have been redeemed and purchase by the blood of Jesus Christ and God doesn't tolerate that His children live like an ordinary ungodly person, undifferentiated from the pack. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Thus Paul strongly emphasised to the church of Ephesus of the need to be set-apart; "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."
It really no wonder that with a youths emotions and the vicious evilness of the last days, the wisdom of a creator God would be to subject us to discipline when we are most fiery and when we start going astray before our character settles when we reach adulthood. Note the words of "It is good" to let us know that it is really a good thing to be taught and remoulded for God's glory when we are young. It's really similiar to the principle of teaching young dogs tricks because it's much harder to teach an old dog new tricks.
Let's come to an understanding today that discipline from the Lord, though harsh and uncompromising, is for our good and for the preservation of our life and salvation. The Lord only disciplines us when we go wayward and not for His own pleasure. Proverbs records many wise proverbs about discipline, one of which I pray will speak to your life when you go through a season of chastisement "Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."
Blessings,
M.
"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
