The Spiritual Journey 2024 - Day 24: We MUST welcome God’s correction.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience]. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Your hands have made me and established me; Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:67, 71, 73‬ ‭AMP

We ended off yesterday talking about the need to be open to the Lord revealing things in our lives that are not in alignment with Him.

Sadly, some people resent the correction of the Lord. That resentment can lead to hardness of heart.

”As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬, ‭15‬, ‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the parable of the sower, Jesus likens hardened hearts to the compacted ground of a footpath. Because of the hardness, it cannot receive the seed, so it is stolen away. The hardened heart becomes impermeable to the word of God as well as the direction of the Holy Spirit.

James instructs that we get rid of those things that cause hardness of heart so that we can receive God’s word.

“So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Of course, this principle also applies to being able to hear God’s direction spoken to us by way of the Holy Spirit. Tragically, having a heart unwilling to receive the correction and instruction of the Holy Spirit, can lead to the quenching (stifling or ignoring) of the Holy Spirit.

”Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The writer of Hebrews, after extolling the faith of the patriarchs (Hebrews 11), warns that in order to live the life of faith as they did, we must receive and welcome correction.

”And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.“

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, correction is necessary for us to be able to be led in the path of righteousness!

In our opening scripture we see the psalmist celebrating the fact that he had been disciplined through affliction.

Remember, no spiritual journey can course correct and/or elevate to a new level of understanding and operation, if the correction of the Lord is not cherished.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#thespiritualjourney2024