Don’t Despise the Chastening of 2020

I’ve been seeing all types of “good riddance 2020” or the more aggressive “FU2020”. Yes, there is much evil in 2020 that we would be glad if it stayed in the history of 2020 and not continue forward. However, this attitude of anger towards the hardships of 2020 does not befit the Christian.

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11-12

This admonition was repeated and expanded in this wonderful passage in Hebrews 12:3-17

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:7-13

And then the passage gives this encouragement…

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Hebrews 12:12-17

2020 was a year of discipline and a call to repentance for the Christian. Don’t miss the kindness of this.

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