SCRIPTURE Pro. 3:11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
      and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
 12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
      just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights

OBSERVATION God does correct us. Not because He doesn't love us but because He does. It is not a part of what a lot of American Christians want to believe about God but it is attested to both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. It ought to make us live circumspect lives if we know that the God of all the universe is watching and will discipline us (for our own good) if we are not living right. When we feel upset by this correction, the writer here reminds us that this is how a father treats a favored child. We should be honored that God cares.

APPLICATION/CONFESSION I, too often, believe that I can sin and God will simply overlook it. That is not what the Word teaches!! I need to remember the consequences of going my own way. Not only are there natural consequences (the reasons God tells us what to do and what not to do) and I offend the relationship with the God I love with all my heart, but I also set myself up for His discipline. I don't want that (to say the least).

PRAYER Lord--may I be a child that is easy to correct. May it not take truly harsh measures but a simple a word--a warning--that I will hear and respond to.