For every son, You discipline

While reading in Proverbs 17 and coming to verse 24a, "the discerning sets his face toward wisdom", and once again after cross referencing, the first two verses of this poem came to mind. When the word kingdom came to mind I was lead to Hebrews 12:1-11 which describes a part of the walk of faith all of God's children are called to.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 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. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."


It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:1-11

Therefore if you are left without discipline, then you are illegitimate and not a son at all.

Oh, what a precious gift You gave
Through Christ of understanding
A cheerful heart to seek Your face
Brought forth by Your commanding,

Discernment in our hearts to rise
To set our face toward wisdom
And ears to hear reproofs of life
And dwell within Your kingdom,

Of those who have gone on before
And those who dwell on earth
Through Christ alone You chose to give
New life through second birth.

And since we are surrounded by
So great a witness cloud,
Oh, help us lay aside the weights
Of which we are so proud,

And sin which clings so closely now;
That we may run the race,
You've set before by sovereign love
To look upon the face,

Of Jesus Christ the Author
And Perfecter of our faith,
Who for the joy, endured the cross
Secured for us now baith*.

Despised the shame and seated at
The right hand of the throne
Of God above and intercedes
For all who are His own.

Oh, help us now consider Him
And not grow faint of heart
For every son, You discipline
And holiness impart.

Though for the moment we're made to feel
Your discipline through pain,
Not ought compares to the peaceful fruit
Of righteousness we gain.

Michael E. Wood
March 17, 2010

(*definition of baith; both) Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of the faith that saves from sin to the glory of God, secured for us chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, and instilled in us through the cross, the capacity and desire to lay aside "baith" every weight and the sin which so closely clings to us.)