Dealing with Rebellion....

When a child rebels against a parent the first thing the parent must do is evaluate; is the behavior normal childishness, immature behavior (stupidity), or is it willful defiance? The former should be met with patience and grace. It should be a teaching moment. If the rebellion is the latter of the two, it should be disciplined immediately. No explanations are necessary, no lectures or long talks, just swift consequences. You do this because of your love for your child. You know that discipline teaches like no other form of experience. You know that the consequences of reality now, hopefully, will save the child a lot of pain and suffering in the future. God knows this. He wants all of us to make peace with Him now. It’s His intent, reconciliation. The reason He purposely imposed consequences or disciplines us is to purge the wickedness (rebelliousness) out of our lives, to take away our sin. It’s a shame some people see it as harsh punishment, undeserved, administered by an over-bearing and unloving God. This couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s God’s love for us, that prompts these actions. And it’s for our good, and it’s for our development of godly character. It’s for our future, and His glory.

5 unless they turn to Me for help.Let them make peace with Me;yes, let them make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:5

7 Has the Lord struck Israel as He struck her enemies?Has He punished her as He punished them?8 No, but He exiled Israel to call her to account.She was exiled from her land as though blown away in a storm from the east.9 The Lord did this to purge Israel’s wickedness, to take away all her sin. As a result, all the pagan altars will be crushed to dust. No Asherah pole or pagan shrine will be left standing. Isaiah 27:7-9