Lesson from Discipline #3: Confirmation

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Ninevah, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.
Jonah 1:1-4

And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Jonah 2:10

So Jonah arose and went to Ninevah...
Jonah 3:3a

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
-Proverbs 16:9

Some of us are more like Jonah than others. I would fall into that category. Fear expressing itself in a desire for comfort, correctness, certainty; ultimately the worship of self. This is the core motive of disobedience. We desire what is best for us. What is safe. What is sure. What is prestigious; what brings us the most glory in the eyes of men. We worship the man in the mirror.

We clench our fists and tell King Jesus that we are going to do it our way, often suppressing the truth that He is providing the very physical strength for us to do so. What incredible mercy! Someone once accurately stated, "Everything this side of hell is pure grace." We should be grateful to be alive, offering sacrifices of praise. Yet what do we sometimes offer in the wake of such mercy? Disobedience. What infinite mercy! Just to be alive today!

This infinite love of God does not stop at mercy. He also disciplines us and directs our steps, in spite of us. We receive loving discipline (if we are laying hold of the righteousness of Christ, alone), leading us to repentance and correction. He provides a straight and sure path, in spite of us. Grace! Our plans end where God's sovereignty begins.

Thomas Watson once said, "The providence of God is the Christian's diary." We often look forward to what God will provide. What I love about this quote is that it emphasizes hindsight reflection on what the Lord has already done.

It is in the midst of such reflection, in the wake of loving discipline, that our calling is sured, our paths are straightened, and a Father's jealous love for us is confirmed.