Blessed Correction
Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Insight
Men may foolishly consider it beneath them to bow to instruction, and learn from those competent to teach; but lasting honor comes to the one who is humble enough to receive help from whoever can impart true knowledge; while disgrace and poverty shall be the portion of the self-sufficient soul. 1
Application
In Hebrews 12:9 we learn about the blessedness of correction: “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” – Are you destaining the correction of your heavenly Father? God uses other people in our world to also be His means of correction. Do you rebel against those in a place of authority over you when an appropriate corrective measure is spoken? How much of your life is truly under the subjection to the Father and to His Word.
Motivation
So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
The Word of God and the Spirit of God are His means of correcting us towards more fruitful living.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the way You lovingly rebuke me towards the straight and narrow.
1. Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.
