Life without regret

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.                     – Hebrews 12:5

A woman unknowingly allowed some valuable family jewels to be sold for 10 cents. It happened after she took the jewels out of a bank safety deposit box to wear to a wedding. The bank was closed when she got home, so she put the jewels in an old shaving case and forgot about them. One day, she gave the shaving case to a friend who was collecting items for a garage sale. By the time the woman realized what she had done, the precious gems had been sold to an unknown buyer for a dime.

In a sense, her pain is similar to Esau’s. He too discovered what it’s like to realize suddenly that something of great value has been lost (Gen. 25:29-34). His wrong decision and subsequent sorrow can be a lesson for Christians. Hebrews 12 teaches that if we become bitter over the correction that comes our way because of our sin, we will lose the benefits of God’s disciplining hand (v.5). And that kind of loss is far greater than trading expensive jewels for almost nothing.

How can we avoid this unnecessary loss? When we sin, we must be willing to learn from God’s correction (v.11), show courage (vv.12-13), and renew our spiritual vitality (v.14). If we respond to our Father’s chastening hand, we can enjoy a life without regret.

– Mart De Haan

If you’ve rebelled and turned away

From what you know is true,

Submit to God, He will forgive -

He still has work for you.            – Sper

READ: Hebrews 12:1-7

You can’t put your sins behind you until you face them.

The Bible in one year:

• 1 Kings 1-4