Severely Merciful

Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow. Isaiah 30:26

It is a fact that our heavenly Father disciplines us when we sinfully stray. At times I've been aware that it was happening in my life, but I'm sure there have been other instances in my life when His blows have gone unnoticed, either because I've been to dull or He was working mysteriously, behind the scenes, to bring me back around.

The great thing is that the blows He deals out are the wounds He binds up. See, this is like the loving and attentive earthly father who chastises the disobedient child, yet faithfully tucks him safely into bed the same night. Sometimes the earthly father withdraws his affections for a time so that the child knows for sure his displeasure. But withdrawal is not equal to abandonment.

Yes, sometimes God is distant, but He is distant in order to ignite our hearts to passion once again. He has yet to throw up his hands in disgust to say, "What am I going to do with this kid?" He continues steadily, faithfully forming us.

I think if preachers (including me) would preach these lessons on the folly of sin and the faithful wounds of the Father more often, we might spark an earnest love for and willing obedience to Jesus. It's humbling, and even a little bit frightening, to ponder such things: that our Father is strong and stern and zealous regarding what is right. But He is equally earnest about raising up His dearly loved children in the likeness of Christ.