“Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; . . . I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure.” Jeremiah 46:28
Suggested Scripture reading – Jeremiah 46:27-28
It seemed like a cool idea at the time. The four boys were neighborhood friends and often played together during the long days of summer. One of them got the idea that it would be a really “cool”, grown up thing if they could get a pack of cigarettes and smoke them. He had figured out a way to get some and sure enough they soon gathered out behind the barn to “light up”. Pretty quickly it occurred to them that it was anything but a cool idea. One of them burned his nose while he tried to light his. Another got sick to his stomach as soon as he took the first puff. The rest never got the chance to find out because about that time Donny’s dad found them and all the would be fun quickly ended. After he had escorted the other three boys to their homes with a thorough explanation to their parents, Donny and his dad went home. Donny was not sure just what was going to happen when they got home but he was not really looking forward to finding out. He was sure it would not be pleasant. It was not, at all. After his correction was over and Donny and his dad were sitting talking about it Donny asked his dad a question.
“Daddy, I knew that it was wrong to do what we did and I am really sorry. I’ll never do it again, I promise.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It sounds like you have learned your lesson.” Dad answered.
“Dad, there were three other boys. They were smoking too. As a matter of fact, it was one of the other guy’s idea and he was the one who got the cigarettes for us. How come you didn’t punish them like you did me?” Donny asked.
“Well, I’m sure that their dads will take care of that for them. They were not my son like you are. I want to help you grow and learn to do right.” Dad answered. “I did not enjoy correcting you because I know that it hurt you. But it was my job to help you learn to do right.” “Do you remember the Scripture we read in family devotions last night? He asked.
“Sure, you let me read in Jeremiah 46.” Donny responded. “I remember because it was kind of hard to understand.”
“Yes,” said Dad. “It was a difficult passage but it sort of helps us here. At the end of the chapter God tells his people that he would have to punish them because of their sin. He wanted them to know that even though they had sinned He would not disown them. They were his children and He loved them. When He punished them it was to ‘correct them in measure.’ That means he was helping them to learn to do right and to not sin.” Dad explained.
“So even if I disobey you sometimes you won’t kick me out of the family?” Donny asked hopefully.
“That’s right.” said dad. “But I will correct you in measure to help you to learn to do right.” He said smiling at his boy.
“Thank you, Dad. It helps me know that you love me even if I make a mistake.”
Child of God, we will sometimes fail our Heavenly Father. We make mistakes and sometimes we just rebel and sin against His wishes. However, if we are really a Child of God, He does not kick us out of His family. He “corrects us in measure” to help us to learn not to sin.
Our Father says;
Fear not: “I am with thee; . . . I will not make a full end of thee,
but correct thee in measure.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
