The Lord's Correction

This morning I felt called to read from Job 5:17-18 NIV (page 431 to be exact):
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."

These verses continue on with some awesome promises - Job 5:19-26 NIV:
[19] "From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. [20] In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. [21] You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. [22] You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. [23] For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. [24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. [26] You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season."

These verses speak of a victorious life in God, not that there wont be struggles and battles, but that Lord will preserve us through them all. I really like the last verse - coming to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season. This speaks of a fullness and fruitfulness of ones life! Amen Lord, that is how I want to go to the grave - having achieved the maximum fruitfulness possible for Your Kingdom!

I felt led to turn to page 672 which in my Bible is Jeremiah 33:1-16 NIV:
[1] While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: [2] “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it---the Lord is his name: [3] ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

[4] For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword [5] in the fight with the Babylonians : ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.

[6] “ ‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. [7] I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. [8] I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. [9] Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
[10] “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more [11] the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before, ’ says the Lord. [12] “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate and without people or animals---in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. [13] In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,’ says the Lord.

[14] “ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
[15] “ ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. [16] In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’

In verses 4 & 5 the Lord speaks of judgement on Israel, and prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem - things we don't like to read or hear. However, it is out of that place that the Lord works, never forgetting His 'good promise'. We must not lose site of the fact that discipline and correction are followed by blessing, health, healing and bounty. In the case of Jerusalem, it took more than 70 years to see these promises of restoration fulfilled. The work of the Lord is faithful and complete, and thorough beyond comprehension.

Lord, help me to welcome Your discipline , cleansing and purifying with open arms, complete humility, and a willingness to help.