Obedience or Chastening- Which Do You Choose?

It was a sunny afternoon in high school and our business teacher was teaching her heart out. I on the other hand was trailing off, my eyes giving in to the allure of a siesta. I knew she loathed seeing us nod off in her class. She perpetually made it clear that it was a very grave offense.

“If you feel sleepy, stand at the back of the class and you won’t get into any trouble.” She would holler. She was one of the harshest teachers in school and we knew better than to be caught napping. But on this fateful day, before I could amble to the back of the class, I conked out. And then she spotted me.

The next day during lunch break, I was scrubbing the craggy bark of a tree using a brush, soap, and water. She had instructed me to scour clean the imposing tree that stood right at the center of the school. I was in full view of both students and teachers.

She always issued the most ridiculous punishments – filling a bucket with water using a spoon, digging a hole using a kitchen fork, etc. Needless to say, that was the last time I got into trouble with her in my four years in high school.

I recently narrated this ordeal to my daughters, hoping for some sympathy and perhaps some snugly comforting hugs. But my youngest quipped “…but mommy you are the one who didn’t follow your teacher’s instructions.” I have kept mulling over her words (and indifference) and got stirred to reflect on how our heavenly father deals with us when we miss the mark.

His Word First Instructs Us

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Before God chastens us, He instructs us through His word. He wants us to lead righteous lives and has stipulated His will in the 66 books of the Bible. He has handed us a life manual because He does not want us to prod in the dark, fumbling around oblivious of His will.

He wants us to know how to respond in every situation. His perfect will is for us to be instructed in righteousness. That’s why He asks us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and the rest shall be added unto us (Mathew 6:33).

Little wonder that He asked Joshua not to veer off His laws to the right hand or the left. He wanted him tethered to His will so that he would go on and prosper (Joshua 1:7). But you and I know that we don’t always choose God’s righteous paths-  either out of ignorance or downright disobedience. To realign and direct us, God will often chasten us.

He chastens us out of Love

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Hebrews 12:6-7).

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” (Proverbs 13:24).

Only an irresponsible/ unloving parent will watch their child’s character deteriorate and do nothing about it. But God is love and He is highly invested in our righteousness. He knows that when we perpetually miss the mark, we sabotage our progress and derail His purposes in our lives. He knows that sin separates us from Him and His will. As a loving father, He chastens us to redirect our hearts towards His will.

Chastening is Painful

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11).

We can either allow God’s word to train us in righteousness or we can be trained through chastening. The choice is ours. This choice is nestled in the decisions we make every day as we go about life. Only that chastening hurts. I have been chastened by God many times and it has often hurt so bad.

I don’t like it. But the pain swerves me towards righteousness. It yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Our righteousness is the end goal. David knew firsthand the benefits of chastening. Here is his confession:

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:67).

His affliction accomplished exactly what God had intended.

Don’t be Discouraged When Chastened

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him” (Hebrews 12:5).

I have seen it in our daughters over the years as we have disciplined them. The palpable sense of dejection in their eyes as they go through the pain. The furry and sense of betrayal as they weep. At that moment, they want nothing to do with whoever was administering the punishment. They are downcast and dejected. They even second-guess our love for them. But after a while, they crawl back and spit out an apology or give a pitiful hug.

They still sense our overarching love for them, the painful chastening notwithstanding.It’s easy for us too to get discouraged when God chastens us. But He implores us not to. He wants us to chin up and pay attention to the areas He is aligning in our lives. He chastens us for our own good so we ought to respond in gratitude and reverence. We should neither take his chastening lightly nor get discouraged by it.