Lenten Devotion – Hold On To Jesus
Day 31 – 20 March 2024
““My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.
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 12:5-6, 11
What do you do when you are in a difficult situation that does not seem to change day after day, month after month?
At some point or another, we may face challenging seasons in life – unexpected illnesses, conflict in the family, stresses from work. Sometimes, these are resolved quickly. Other times, they seem to go on and on and on.
Are these difficulties God’s plan to discipline us to share in his holiness (Heb 12:10)? Are they a result of our own poor choices or others’ poor choices? Or maybe it is just unexplained (like in the example of Job’s life)? In this lifetime, we often may not know for sure.
But what we do know is this:
God is a good Father. He is a perfect father who loves us and wants the best for us – even when we feel like life is overwhelming or the pain is too great to bear. God IS the good Father.
Jesus gives us hope. He is cheering us on: “Hold on!” “Jia you!” “I suffered too, I know what it’s like, don’t give up” “You will get through this.” (Heb 12:3, 12).
The Holy Spirit is always with us. Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16).
One difficult year was when my son and I walked through the valley of the shadow of THE PSLE. I experienced the lowest of lows in my relationship with him as I panicked, scolded, cajoled him to stay focused. Exams are only one part of life, but they still are important checkpoints in a student’s life.
Perhaps I experienced a little bit of what the Heavenly Father feels when I “motivated” (read disciplined) my son to study by taking away his devices. I am pretty sure my son hated (or continues to hate) me at times even though I am doing it for his good. Through the PSLE and beyond, I have needed to hold onto the hope in Jesus to repair the relationship, to trust that God has a good plan for his life and just to keep on going. We both need constant reminders that God IS the good Father as we laugh and cry through the teenage years.
So whatever challenge you are facing today, hopefully someday you will be able to look back and know in the depth of your heart that God was loving you the whole time. And maybe you would have grown in holiness and righteousness (Heb 12:12).
Until then, take courage friend – and let’s hold on to Jesus.
Anonymous COA Mom🙏