Discipline and Punishment

Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.
deut. 24.16

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Ex. 34.6-8

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Heb. 12.11

i can't help but have interest in the battle in darfur. children soldiers, holy war, rebellion, separation from Christ. people are dying for a cause that most of can't comprehend. what are these rebels trying to prove? why are they fighting? why are they killing children and raping women? what causes a group of rebels to do these things? are they fighting for peace? I don't know exactly, but i'm saddened by the events which have taken place.

'each is to die for his own sin.' there seems to be some accountability in that statement. but what about these families near darfur who have become fatherless and widowed? i bet they feel like a piece of them have died because of this war. are they feeling disciplined - certainly it doesn't seem pleasant, but painful. i can only imagine the depth of their pain. it breaks my heart to think of how terribly they feel - to live in those conditions. but then this new testament verse goes on to say, 'later on it produces a harvest of righteouness and peace for those who have been trained by it.' this isn't for those who harbor the bitterness and revenge, but for those who have been trained by grace and forgiveness. those who know that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness. just think about how difficult it would be to forgive the rebels how raped you and your daughters, killed your husband and forced your sons to become slave-militants. is there such a forgiveness? does it exist? who's bold enough to preach this type of God? who is taking the good news to those who need it most? he who has been forgiven much, loves much. that's Jesus' lesson. ask the woman caught in adultery. ask paul. if someone were to ask me what has been forgiven in my life and how has it affected who i am, what would i answer? how am i being trained to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace? how abundant is my harvest - is it a bumper crop? what proof is there that i am being trained?

gracious God,
i trust that You are disciplining me from my flesh. continue to separate/divide me from who i was. there is a change in my life that i can't explain. i'm learning who i am, as oppose to who i was before i surrendered my life to You. have You way in me. Holy Spirit, i lay down my will and offer it to You; be glorified in me. let this year produce a bumper crop - only thru You am i capable of remaining faithful and able to produce anything good. let Your peace dwell in me that it may overflow and produce praise and good fruit.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Amanda *Melissa *Laura