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GOD’S DISCIPLINARY TEAM

Throughout Scripture, we find examples of God communicating his righteous standards through nature. “A drought will strike her water supply, causing it to dry up. And why? Because the whole land is filled with idols, and the people are madly in love with them” (Jeremiah 50:38, NLT).

I’m sure that not every person in every drought is being punished for idolatry. Today’s scientists can provide accurate explanations for rain cycles and the impact of global warming on those patterns. But the fact remains that it will not rain unless God approves. And He is still committed to revealing his righteousness to us. That is to us as a whole or to individual people in need of correction.

The story of Jonah is a great example of God’s team at work to discipline his chosen one. In Jonah 1, God commanded the clouds, the wind, and a fish to get the message to Jonah. And again in Jonah 4, the whole fiasco with the fig tree taught him more than a few lessons about God’s character. “And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head… But God also arranged for a worm... And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah” (v. 6-8).

I stand amazed that our powerful, perfect God would make so many “arrangements” for people who are following his commands. And I am sure that we will be even more amazed when we see how He does it one day!

Do you believe that God would use elements in nature to reach out to you when you are on the wrong track? How does it make you feel that God would go to such lengths to touch your life?

Let us open our eyes and ears to God’s loving discipline as we observe nature. Let us not underestimate the love of God for each of us. He may be busy making arrangements for your correction today! “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as his child” (Hebrews 12:5-6, NLT).