I had never thought of “correction” as being a gift until I read these verses in Proverbs this morning.
“Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.
5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. 10 Then your barns will be full of grain, and your barrels will be overflowing with wine.
11 My son, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be angry when he corrects you. 12 The Lord corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.” Proverbs 3:3-11 ERV
The Lord will lead us in the way that is right. He can be trusted and when He corrects us, it’s because He loves us!
I saw it like this.
Where we live there are a lot of hiking trails. I am not an experienced hiker, and it would be foolish for me to offer to the lead the local hiking group. I could take them on the wrong path, get lost or worse, get someone hurt.
The person to better lead is the one who has gone this way before, the One who knows the trail like the back of their hand. The One who can keep me from going off trail, the One who has the expertise to lead even in adverse circumstances.
Why would I follow such a person? Why would I listen to their correction? Why would I follow their instruction?
The answer to those questions is because that Person loves me and is trustworthy!
God’s gift of correction is not for my detriment; it is for my benefit!
Open the gift of correction that God is offering. It will keep you on the right path!