Notes of Faith February 27, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
Helps from Hebrews
November 19, 2000
“THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE”
Hebrews 12:5-6
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord nor faint when you are reproved by Him. For whom the Lord loves He disciplines and He scourges every son whom he receives.
I can’t ever remember rejoicing when my dad disciplined me. His discipline was never pleasant. It always smarted in one way or another. But I always remembered that there was a reason for what he did - although he often let me discover the reason on my own. His “you know why I’m doing this, young man” still comes resounding back to me on certain occasions. For the most part I did know, although sometimes he left me wondering.
I discovered when I became a Christian, my Heavenly Father followed the same pattern. Well, more accurately, my earthly father was following the heavenly pattern, although he wasn’t aware of it.
However now I rather look forward to my Heavenly Father’s discipline. “Why?” you ask. Simply because it reaffirms to me that I am His child. The text tells me that if I am without discipline, I am not His child! In fact I now regard Divine Discipline as one of the points of assurance of salvation.
So when Paul says do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord nor faint at His reproof, just take it as your Father confirming His divine parenthood.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11
God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Job 5:17
17 "Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Prov 3:11-12
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Prov 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is stupid.
Prov 13:1
A wise son accepts his father's discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Prov 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,
But he who regards reproof will be honored.
Prov 15:32
He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
Prov 19:27
Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Prov 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Prov 23:13
Do not hold back discipline from the child,
Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
Eph 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Rev 3:19
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Rom 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons (and daughters) of God.
Gal 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:19
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
Even creation is expectantly waiting for the salvation and redemption of mankind since it will follow the same pattern, having fallen into decay through the curse of God in dealing with man’s sin, and resurrected to its original glory or perhaps even beyond when mankind is glorified for all eternity!
It is great to be called a child of God! May we listen intently and follow the disciplined instruction of the Lord, that we might grow in His grace and mercy becoming more like Jesus day by day!
Pastor Dale