My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction;
for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12
Proverbs are punchy, direct, and fly immediately in different directions. Chapter 3:9-10 instruct the prince to honor the Lord with the firstfruits so his barns will be filled and his vats overflowing with new wine. There’s a time for feasting, and one for fasting; a time to raise a glass and a time to accept chastening and correction. It’s really easy to love the feast and hate the fast. In thinking about correction, discipline and chastening we need to be like farmers. As Scripture says elsewhere, no discipline is pleasant at the time, but afterward yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. It’s embarrassing to find you messed up and humbling to be told. This is why so many people can’t endure any measure of criticism without lashing out, melting, or running away. Wisdom says, “for whom the Lord loves He corrects, fust as a father the son in whom he delights.” A father doesn’t spank the neighbor’s son because he isn’t his. But a faithful father disciplines the son he loves. He doesn’t enjoy it. He knows his son doesn’t enjoy it. But later they both are going to enjoy it. How much should we receive conviction and correction from our perfect heavenly Father? The humble hear it and are glad.