Daily Devotions

Psalm 94:12–13 (NIV)

“Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble…”

In Psalm 94, we glimpse something unexpected: the blessing of God’s discipline. Not punishment or anger—but a loving correction that comes from a heart that wants the very best for us.

The Hebrew word used for “discipline” here is yasar—a word that speaks not of punishment, but of purposeful guidance. It's the kind of correction that draws us closer, not pushes us away. It’s God’s way of helping us grow—redirecting us when we’re heading off-course and steadying us so we can walk more closely with Him.

Spiritual discipline is often misunderstood. We may see it through the lens of failure or shame. But Scripture invites us to see it differently—as grace in motion. God doesn’t correct us to condemn us. He does it because He loves us too much to leave us stuck, drifting, or stagnant. His discipline realigns our hearts with His truth. It’s not rejection—it’s refinement.

John Henry Jowett, a great preacher of the past, once told a story from his early ministry. During a children’s meeting, four boys interrupted by loudly blowing penny whistles. He could have scolded them or sent them away. Instead, he smiled and said, “Can’t you fellows play those whistles any better than that? If not, Mrs. Jowett will have to give you lessons.” And she did. Not long after, those same boys played in a local concert. They weren’t silenced—they were shaped.

God’s discipline is like that. It doesn’t shame or silence—it trains and transforms. Like Jowett, God sees beyond the noise to what we could become, and He lovingly guides us there.

Henri Nouwen once wrote, “Gratitude can also be lived as a discipline.” When we begin to see God's correction through the lens of love, gratitude becomes our response. We stop resisting and start receiving, knowing that every lesson is a gift—even the hard ones.

Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for loving me enough to correct me.
When I wander, bring me back with gentleness.
When I resist, be patient with me.
Teach me through Your Word. Shape my heart through Your Spirit.
Help me see discipline not as failure, but as Your faithfulness at work in me.
Give me the courage to learn, the humility to grow,
and the grace to receive even the hard lessons with joy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.