When I was around five years old my three older brothers decided to teach me how to ride a bike.  At the time we lived way out in the country and had a really steep gravel driveway.   I had just learned to stay balanced around the house when I saw my dad a good way down the hill with a man he had been helping to survey some land.  My dad was standing in front of the mans open driver side door with some tools in his arms when I yelled out, “look dad I can ride” and started down the hill.  I began gaining speed fast and my dad was yelling, “hit the bakes, hit the brakes!”  I yelled back, “How?!”  Just then I ran straight into my dad, the tools went flying my dad went backwards into the car door, but I was safe.  You see if my dad had not stopped me there was a long way to go down that hill and it would have been really bad.

But, my dad stopped me.  He used his body to do so, and it wasn’t pretty but I was safe. Oh the love of a dad in the clutch moments of life.

When you come to Jesus the Father commits to you.  He will look out for you in an effort to see you grow and to see you succeed and He knows there will be lessons along the way.

My dad sat me down and instructed me after that incident, not because he stopped loving me and wanted to disown me, but because he wanted me to know how to stop a bike.  It was because He loved me and wanted me to be able to ride with confidence knowing how to handle my bike in any situation.  His concern was for my well being, and that is how it is when Jesus comes to our rescue and we are corrected by His instruction.

Correction is not unloving, it is a sure sign of belonging, being loved, and being cared for at a much deeper level than unwarranted praise could ever offer.  It says this very thing in Hebrews in the Bible.

You might be going through a time where the Father is sitting you down to instruct you in some area, but do not be discouraged by it, be encouraged.  It means you belong to Him and you are greatly loved.  Listen carefully and get up knowing you are now empowered to do differently.  Let His joy and peace rule in your heart even those times and you will experience great success.   

Your Father wants you to succeed!  He delights in seeing you rise up and take on what before was a challenge to you, but is now being seen as an opportunity because you took advantage of His instruction.  His love will not let you remain ignorant and unprepared.  He has given you His Spirit to lead you into all truth and equip you for the journey ahead.

Rejoice in knowing you are so greatly loved today and always especially when you need some instruction along the way!