July 26

There is a great advantage to the child whose parents establish firm guidelines of behavior and achievement for the child at an early age. There is an incalculable advantage to the child whose parents apply these same guidelines not only to matters of scholarship and social interaction but also to matters of the spirit.

The child who is diligently instructed in the way he should go from infancy will be the child who does not quickly fall into unproductive habits. People who achieve great success are often those whose earliest nurturing included self-discipline and determination to attain worthwhile goals.

The Word encourages this same discipline in striving for eternal goals. In Psalm 94: 12, 13, it says, “Blessed is the one who You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach from Your law so You may give him power to prosper even in the day of adversity.” The Lord wants to equip the believer for complete victory.

The Lord’s discipline has the same intent as does parental discipline—to prepare the child for success over any and every eventuality. The Lord’s discipline lays the foundation of understanding of Who He is and what He wants from man in order that man might prevail over every circumstance that comes his way.