September 13, 2017 – Isaiah 38:16-17

Isaiah 38:16-17 – Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!

Discipline can come in many forms.  I learned this as a school teacher, and taught a group of sixth graders, after their former teacher unexpectedly died. Looking in ‘his’ desk drawer I found the rubber sole of a tennis shoe.  I asked the students what it was used for.  “That was his paddle!”

Discipline can be outer or inner pain.  It is a change instrument of punishment, training, self-control, a field of study or control. Without some kind of emotion, there is no learning.

James 1:2-3 – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 

We learn from mistakes and the consequences.  Any kind of trouble we experience is a testing of our faith.  As our faith is tested and grows.  Enduring pain isn’t a ‘poor me time’ begging for sympathy, but a time to rejoice!  God is teaching and loving us.

God rescues us from death…the eternal death.  He teaches us and forgives us all our sins through Jesus Christ that we may have life everlasting.

Psalm 9:1-2 – I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.  I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  

I Peter 1:2-4 – God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,  and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

Isaiah 38:17 – Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins.