Strengthen Your Weak Knees

Have you ever been seemingly unfairly, severely disciplined?  How did you react?  I remember some severe times of discipline in my life, like not making the All-Star Baseball team as a Little Leaguer because of my bad attitude.  I shaped up the next year and was a unanimous choice! Another time I was wrongly accused of cheating in class, blew up at the teacher who was a former shot-putter in college, and threw my books at the chalkboard and walked out.  When we sat down and my mom explained all that was going on in my life – brother in prison, Dad losing his business and everything, and me being diagnosed with diabetes – the teacher, Mr. Klein and I became good friends. There have been times when I understood and deserved discipline, and times when I’ve been bewildered by it. 

Right now is one of those bewildering times.  I am doing my best, working too hard, and I am facing one challenge after another, poor health, a wicked economy, lots of criticism.  One problem after another.  I don’t even know whether I will weather next week!!

Surprisingly, I am thankful.  I’m counting on the Scripture verse found in Hebrews: 12:5-6:

Hebrews 12:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

The tough times make me certain that God loves me as a son.  I am also certain that it all will add up for my good, and draw me closer to the Lord.

Job 5:17-18 (ESV)
¹⁷ “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
¹⁸ For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal.

A favorite song of mine is the new one, Blessings, by Laura Story.  I want this song performed at my funeral;

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It’s not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I believe these words with my whole heart, and I am thankful for the severe discipline that I am currently receiving from above.  I know that the only correct response is to do what I did in Little League baseball, get a good attitude, and strengthen whatever area is weak in my life. 

Hebrews 12:12-13 (ESV)
¹² Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Blessings,