"Thy rod and thy staff; they comfort me..." What does this mean...?
As a son I have had MANY times of discipline growing up. As a father, I will have to discipline my son MANY times as well (he's too much like his daddy). Will I punish him? No. (I sure better not!) Punishment is very different than discipline. How? Well, punishment is an act of anger and wrath. Discipline is done in love for the best interest of the one on whom it is being carried out on.
For example: Lets say my son reaches for the red hot element on the stove- he's a very precocious 1 3/4 years old! The difference would be as follows:
Punishment: I proceed out of anger to put his hand on the element to REALLY let him know how hot it is. What a stupid kid! He should know better!
Discipline: I immediately stop him! Perhaps give him a rap on the hand, and immediately console him. I proceed to explain why he should not put his hand there and that it is VERY HOT and dangerous. In other words I change his out come and his actions without breaking him.
I, as a father, know the pain and suffering attached with placing one's hand on a red hot element. It is out of complete love, concern, and FOR HIS OWN GOOD that I stop this from happening.In the same way, our Father, God does this to His children. But it is ONLY His children who will be disciplined. He will do this to grow us in holiness, further conform us to the likeness of Jesus, alert us of an unconfessed sin in our lives, or for reasons that only He knows. Either way we can be content in knowing that it is for our benefit that we are ever disciplined. There is structure in knowing that there are a certain set of rules that we live by. And within those rules are certain expectations and outcomes associated with each one. Looking back, having parents who disciplined me gave me a sense of peace, relaxation, and assurance that I was really loved as their child.
God is NOT maliciously waiting to abuse His children!!!
He knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper and grow us in righteousness.
Those who are NOT His children, however, will experience the ultimate punishment when they die; eternal damnation in hell. But there is more that they will experience while they live on earth. How about a removal of God's grace from their lives? How about giving them over to the desires of their hearts? How about giving them the false teachers that they so long to listen to? How about letting them suffer mentally after they have had an abortion? How about all the cases of HIV/AIDS in the homosexual community? How about the rise in STD's in the lives of those who scream for their sexual freedoms? How about continued racism and violence? I'm sure there are MANY more ways in which God can (and does) punish the wicked.
"Thy rod and thy staff; they comfort me..."
Though we, as children of God, may question the reason for the discipline,we can (nay, should) rest in the peace that He is taking care of us. A father who has no love for his children will never correct their behaviour.The scariest thing I can think of, is to never experience the loving discipline of my Father. For then I would not be his child.
"Thy rod and thy staff; they comfort me..." Indeed they do.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
