Day 4 - Expect Correction

"Remember, a happy man accepts God’s correction, so don’t despise the discipline of the Highest God." - Job 5:17 (The Voice)

"For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He corrects each one He takes as His own." - Hebrews 12:6 (The Voice)

As we turn to the Lord, we should expect correction.

If we keep doing this year what we did last year we will be in the same place we are now.

Correction is not a popular topic because we all have the tendency to turn away or reject correction. Naturally, we don't like to be told we are wrong and need to change. We live in a world that desperately cries for affirmation. Tell me I'm good. Tell me I'm doing great (even if I'm not). Just tell me what I want to hear and everything will be alright. Because the truth may hurt and I don't want to feel bad, just tell me something wonderful and I'll believe everything is okay.

We are experiencing a world that wants to live in fantasy-land and pretend that everything is paradise. We don't like to deal with harsh realities and gut level honesty.

But with God, He only deals with truth. So when we come to Him for help we can expect Him to begin by showing us what we are doing that is wrong and where we need to make changes.

When we open our heart to the Lord, we should expect that He will shine the light of the truth of His word into every place so that He can reveal to us what we need to correct. Correction is actually a good thing.

We know that He corrects those that belong to Him and those that He loves. We know that if we are wise we will accept correction and make adjustments. We know that correction moves us toward perfection (or maturity). (We will never be "perfect" this side of heaven.)

When we realize how much God loves us and wants us to grow, we will run to Him with a heart and mind that is expecting correction.

"If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me." Psalm 66:18-20 (NLT)

Confession of sin will bring the correction of the Lord. He will take us to His word and in His mercy, forgive us, restore us and give us the power of His Holy Spirit to make the changes we need to. This is true repentance. And this ignites revival!

God loves those who love His correction.

Say this: I turn away from my selfishness and self centeredness and approach God expecting to be corrected. I know that God corrects those that He loves and He loves me.

Pray this: Lord, I turn to You today and I expect that You love me enough to correct me. I confess to You where I have been wrong and ask You to show me anything that I am unaware of. I repent for disobeying Your word and ask You to cleanse me with the Blood of Jesus. I receive Your correction and power to change. Show me clearly what I need to do to make the changes I need to make. I love You and Your Word. Thank you for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus Name.