Psalm 94:7–13 7Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, Neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 8Understand, ye brutish among the people: And ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11The Lordknoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity. 12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, And teachest him out of thy law; 13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked.
It was remarkable how the stories were so similar as the five senior adult children reminisced about their childhood. Their mom had gone on to glory and I was setting with this family attempting to comfort them by directing their minds toward good memories. They wiped the tears in between the smiles and laughter as they all shared an event in which their mother took a hickory limb or a belt to their little backsides. Isn’t that odd, that they all had fond memories of what they referred to as a “whoopin”? Apparently, this little bitty lady had been quite the disciplinarian, but all her children were relishing in remembering her handiwork. I am certain that at the time they were not so appreciative, yet here they sat thankful for such a mother. They understood her belt to be a blessing.
Why were they so thankful for past discipline?
I suppose that time had shown them how it had built character, how that they had been spared from bad decisions because their mom had loved them enough to correct them and how a small amount of suffering at the proper time had prevented greater pain.
I share some similar experience and am also thankful that my father gave me an encouraging pat on the back…side when I needed one.
I guess my dad’s belt has brought me blessings.
I have heard a few parents brag how they wouldn’t dare discipline their children and have seen the fruit from such folly, typically a bad apple.
Ok, how do people happy about a hickory limb and glad that they got spanked relate to this Psalm?
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, And teachest him out of thy law;
The Bible word “blessed” means happy. The Word of God teaches that the God brings eventual gladness through discipline. While nobody likes it at the time, his spankings make you smile. Why?
Psalm 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked.
The result of his correction is rest, rest from bad behavior, rest from wrong roads that lead to certain adversity .
Early in my ministry, I sat with a troubled teen who shocked me with her statement, “I wish my parents had loved me enough to spank me”. Wow, I expect that kind of realization from someone with more age and experience but not from someone so young. She realized how she had been behaving badly in an odd and unsuccessful attempt to get her parents to show care.
She believed a belt would have been a blessing.
If you are his child by faith, then rest assured that God is a good Father that loves you enough to correct you.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
I wouldn't advise seeking it out. It is best to go the right path without requiring correction. But if you find yourself in disobedience then don't be surprised when the correction comes and don’t forget God’s belt brings blessings.