For Whom the Lord Loves...

Isaiah(my son) & I were riding in my truck the other day to take care of some errands. While driving, my wife called. We began talking about a reward for Isaiah because he had broken a bad habit and had promised him that if he did we would get him something. When I hung up the phone, I told Isaiah what we had decided. Isaiah, in a sweet innocent voice, said, "Ok. I didn't hear what you told mom." I really didn't think anything about it, I just kept driving.

A moment later, Isaiah said, "Dad, I didn't really lie to you..." this wasn't the innocent voice he had just used. This was a timid, almost fearful voice. He continued, "...when I said I didn't hear what you said to mommy, I really did. But I didn't really lie to you."

First off, how many of us would even think this was important enough to bring up? He was in the clear. I wasn't asking him about it, or trying to get him to confess, he did this on his own. I think many of us would look at how unimportant this was and would just let it go. But something else was happening here. Isaiah was experiencing something. He was feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit, something lots of people don't like to talk about.

I explained to Isaiah that he did lie, but what he was feeling was actually good. Why? Because of Proverbs 3:12:

"For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights."

It took a while, but Isaiah did finally understand. He knew that he had sinned and that actually broke his heart. He even cried when he realized that he did lie an it was a sin. But I didn't stop with just him understanding that he had sinned. I explained that because he felt this way, it was a confirmation that God loves him. Then I got to share 1 John 1:9:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I told Isaiah that I forgive him and helped him ask God for forgiveness.

So knowing all this now, has God been showing you correction in your life? What do you need to ask forgiveness for? Just something to think about.

In Christ,
jon walton