“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)
When my daughter was a bit older than two years, she got so angry one afternoon that she stormed into her room, slammed the door, yelling all the while. She remained in her room, alone for several hours. I don’t remember exactly but I imagine she fell asleep crying in frustration in her bed. I do remember thinking, “My, my she’s put herself in ‘time-out.’”
David sings, “Remove Your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of Your hand,” noting that God “consumes” and lamenting that “all mankind is a mere breath!” (Psalm 39:10,11; ESV) “Surely,” writes the psalmist, “a man goes about as a shadow!” (Psalm 39:6) “When You discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him.” (Psalm 39:11)
We are sojourners with God, guests. (Psalm 39:12) We beg Him, “Deliver [us] from all [our] transgressions. Do not make [us] the scorn of the fool!” (Psalm 39:8) We want to know [our] end and what is the measure of [our] days; let [us] know how fleeting [we] are!” (Psalm 39:4)
Our lives here on earth are short — we are like grass, here today and gone tomorrow.
“Look away from [us],” Lord, “so that [we] may smile again, before [we] depart and are no more!” (Psalm 39:13)
