Many parents struggle with the issue of spanking their children. However, this is not an issue with our heavenly Father. While many "experts" and child psychologists are opposed to spanking as a way to discipline our children, GOD does not buy into that school of thought. His thinking is more aligned with: Don't spare the rod, lest you spoil the child.
Many passages in the Bible support corporal punishment. I'm not talking about child abuse! I'm referring to the age-old method of human behavior modification known as "the carrot and the stick." The desired behavior is rewarded with a carrot - or some form of positive reinforcement. Undesirable behavior is rewarded with a stick - or some form of negative reinforcement. It's not rocket science. Parents have used this approach for thousands of years. Why? Because it works!
But here's a truth we often overlook - spankings are not just for children. In other words, we're never too old or too big to be disciplined or chastened by the LORD. Just because our earthly parents can not (or did not) spank us, don't think for a minute that GOD can't. As a matter of fact, adult parents themselves are subject to receiving a spanking from their heavenly Father. And grandparents are not exempt either! Our Father is keen to provide whatever is necessary to keep us moving along the narrow path of righteousness. Sometimes the incentive may be a carrot, but it can also be a stick. We never get too old or too big that GOD can't bend us over his knee and tan our hides real good!
In the Old Testament book of Hosea 5:14-15, listen to how GOD plans to deal with his wayward children. "For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."
Because of their sin and rebellion, God will use Assyrian invaders as his "rod of correction" against his idolatrous people. He will tear like a lion and take his people away into captivity. And notice God says this punishment will continue until: "they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." In other words, God is counting on AFFLICTION to do its special work. When the hand of the Lord is heavy on us, the purpose behind the pain is to prompt us to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our sins. Pain prepares us for revival!
Psalm 119:75 » “Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”
Psalm 119:71 » “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.”
Hebrews 12:5-6 » “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”
Revelation 3:19 » "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent."
I read recently that a pastor of a megachurch in Dallas published a pamphlet stating that the current pandemic in America is not any type of punishment from God because of our sins. I totally disagree! We are a sinful nation! The soil of America is awash in innocent blood! God is indeed using PAIN to get our attention. According to Scripture, that's how he has dealt with his people down through the ages. Do we need to remind the pastor of 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, where God himself says,
“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
My new book, "The Spiritual Awakening of America," is based upon this passage, which is a promise to the nation of Israel and a principle of revival for believers today. Whenever supernatural disasters strike a nation (droughts, a plague of locusts, an outbreak or epidemic), whenever the populace is gripped by distress and anxiety, or when it seems like Satan is winning the day, this passage gives us an action plan and a reason to keep looking up. As we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, we can trust God to respond according to His Word.
The LORD Almighty is spanking the nations of the world, especially the USA. In our nation today we’re experiencing racial unrest, a financial crisis, spiraling anxiety and a devastating pandemic. Yet tragically, every single day in America, man’s inhumanity to man is on full display. GOD says our hearts are wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and we see that sad truth proven each and every day!
Will we repent and seek the LORD during our time of affliction? Or will we follow after the pattern of Israel, who stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts against the cries of the prophets and against the gentle woos of the Holy Spirit? Like Israel, will we also be carried off into some form of captivity because of our sin and rebellion?
"In their affliction they will seek me early." May GOD give us the grace to do just that! Being stubborn and unrepentant will only bring more pain. They say a hard head makes for a soft behind! In light of our current painful situation, isn't it high time we humble ourselves and pray and seek God's face and turn from our foolish ways? Otherwise, the beatings will continue until morale improves!
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!
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