For our little, short-legged dog, running through fields of
tall grass is right up there with chasing squirrels and birds and running
alongside the four-wheeler and golf cart. I enjoy watching him find such joy in
simple pleasures, but with those pleasures comes a challenge—removing
cockleburs. Scout tries to remove them, but some are out of reach or embedded, so
I must take them off strand by strand of fur.
Scout doesn’t seek me for cocklebur removal because he knows
it will be an uncomfortable ordeal yet will sometimes sit on my lap and accept my
help. Because pulling on his coat is necessary, there is no appreciation, but my
help is needed. Unless dealt with, the intruders stick to each other, embedding
themselves further and magnify the problem.
Sin is like cockleburs. Each time we miss the mark of
perfection (sin), one cocklebur after another attaches itself to our life. Before
long, they cover us and, efforts to remove them prove futile. Some are out of
reach—others embed themselves. Even though we may not seek our Father’s help,
He lovingly steps in and begins the process of removal, called discipline. His
help is often uncomfortable, unappreciated, and at times painful.
If you are God’s child, He will discipline you (v. 7). If sinful
living is a continual part of your life, and you don’t experience His correction,
you don’t belong to Him (v. 8). The result of God’s discipline? “But
afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are
trained in this way.” God’s chastisement is always for our good (v. 10b).
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.