Being corrected by the Lord means that we are not outside of His plan. It may be that our actions are not pleasing to Him, so He points us in the right direction, so that we can come closer to Him. It's not possible for someone to be sad about being admonished. They should thank God for showing them the way back to full communion with Him (Hebrews 12:5-11). Never let go of correction!

           The heavenly Father wants to see His children acting wisely, avoiding any transgression that could stain them and bring them to a dark end. Even people who have not yet come to the light, but will, will be astonished when they hear that they have defiled themselves in some filthy, torpid sin long ago. God talks about the good reaction to His warnings: My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice, indeed I myself (Proverbs 23.15). Be wise!

           When you feel a verse catch your eye, whether you're reading the Bible or listening to it being preached, meditate on it right away and see that the Father is correcting you, because He loves you. He himself declared: “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Hebrews 12:7). God will never let you go astray, but will lead you back into His presence. Believe it!

           Clinging to correction should be an act of love for the Lord, because He has revealed something wrong in you. Take the case of Naomi, who returned to Bethlehem of Judah at God's direction after wandering in the country of Moab and losing her husband and two sons there. Her two daughters-in-law, widows of her sons, decided to follow her, and she tested them twice. One of them returned to her parents' house!

           When Naomi saw that Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law, had stayed, she spoke to her a third time: And she said, ‘Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law’ (Ruth 1.15). She answered, But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God (v. 16).

           Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and didn't abandon her. She didn't even care if she had a husband or not, because she had taken Naomi's God as her Lord. All of us must heed the directions of the Most High in any situation, demonstrating that we have decided to follow Him and this will never be changed. Now, if we are scolded, it is surely the Father's love showing that He does not want to lose us, but to renew us for that Day!

           How important it is to cling to correction without letting go! It is our life! Read the end of the verse under study and pray to the Lord, repenting of your iniquities and asking for one more chance not to be lost. On our last day on earth, or at Jesus' return, we need to be found persevering in faith in order to ascend with Him. It's important to check how you're doing, because after death, there will be no second chance. Make up your mind!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares