Being Properly Corrected

 It was always hard for me to decide what punishment was the best for my children as they were growing up. I did not want to hurt them too much, but I wanted the punishment to lead to them to correct the wrong they had done. It was all done in love to teach them what was right and what was wrong. That is what God does for us.

The people of Judah had sinned against their God grievously. They had worshiped other gods so brazenly and defiantly that He had to destroy their country and send them into exile. Then, He explained what He had done. (Jeremiah 46:28) God told Jacob His servant not to fear, because He was still with him. He promised to make a complete destruction of the nations where He had sent them, but He would not make a complete destruction of them. However, He would correct them properly, but by no means leave them unpunished.

We all need to understand this about God, because He hasn't changed. God must punish our sins. If He lets us go free when we sin, He is condoning our sin. He will never do that. He hates sin, and He has to do what it takes to show the seriousness of our sins. This is done for our good to draw us to Him. 

God's goal is always to properly correct us, so we confess our sins and get right with Him. That restores our close relationship with Him, and it leads us to experience abundant life. We need to accept God's punishment, knowing it is always just what we need to be properly corrected, even if it seems too harsh for us. Remember, He is with us, and there is no need to fear our Loving Father.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 47-50.