Rebuke

This word carries with it “stern disapproval or reprimand”. I know what it’s like to be rebuked. I grew up getting rebuked occasionally as my parents helped shape my character. I have also rebuked my children at times growing up. It is not fun when I’m the recipient of rebuke, nor is it fun to be the giver of rebuke. When I stop, and think about it, I only rebuke because I care about the person or subject I’m speaking about. I don’t use rebuke to tear down another, but to build something inside them.

I have been rebuked by The Lord. He has “set me straight” more than once in my life and I’m very open to Him keeping me in line with Him and His Word.  Asaph penned a song that included this very subject. Check this out…

⁶ At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
    both horse and chariot lie still.

⁷ It is you alone who are to be feared.
    Who can stand before you when you are angry?
⁸ From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared and was quiet—
⁹ when you, God, rose up to judge,
    to save all the afflicted of the land. (Psalm 76:6-9 NIV)

I think it’s extremely important to have a healthy respect and reverence for the Lord. He is Creator of all the earth. He is in charge of His Creation and everything I can see or know. He is even patient with some His hard-headed kids like me.  I’m so thankful for His patience and His grace. I don’t deserve to be His kid but because of His Son Jesus, I get to be a child of His. I can’t stop speaking about all that the Lord has done for me. He has forgiven me and He has restored my soul many times. He has given me opportunity to speak on His behalf and to lead others to Him.  As I read this passage in Psalms this morning, I was reminded of a passage that a young preacher was challenged with from the apostle Paul. Check this out…

² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV)

I love this challenge that Paul gives the young man Timothy. He is to lift up the Word. The Word of God most definitely corrects, rebukes and encourages. The Word is also a great resource of careful instruction. I want the Word to speak into my life today and everyday as I pursue the Heart of God.

Pressing On!

Dwayne