Proverbs 15:31-32 – He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (NIV)

I wasn't at all happy when I discovered that I couldn't read the words on a page any more, no matter how long my arm was. I was even less happy when I had to purchase my first pair of reading glasses. And I was even more unhappy when I realized what a nuisance it was to have to put the glasses on and take them off constantly. And believe it or not, I was even more unhappy, if that's even possible, when I realized just how often I couldn't even find the glasses, due to the fact that I was putting them on and off all day long. But I must admit that I was most happy to be able to read again.

Eyeglasses are very important if we want to see the things we need to see and do the things we want to do. They provide the necessary help to sharpen our sight and bring life into focus.

When King David took another man's wife and she became pregnant, seeking to hide what he had done, he issued orders to have the woman's husband placed in the direct line of fire amidst battle. Subsequently, he was killed. David took the woman to live with him in the palace and fooled himself into thinking that he had done nothing wrong. In due time, however, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David for his sin. David's eyes were opened, which led him to confess, repent, and experience God's healing (2 Samuel 11-12).

Sometimes, God still uses other people to act as eyeglasses in regard to the areas in our life which also need cleansing and healing. When this happens, how shall we choose? Will we ignore the discipline and despise ourselves, or like King David, a man after God's own heart, will we heed correction and gain understanding?

Prayer: Father God, at times it can be very difficult for us to accept the truth about ourselves. Grant us humility and wisdom to heed Your life-giving correction in whatever form it arrives, that we might gain understanding and be at home among the wise. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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