The value of the father as a spiritual guide (Part II. The Discipline)

When David wrote Psalm 23, he did not imagine that this song of praise would transcend time and would become the most loved by most Christians of all ages. Among tenderness and praise to the Lord, David recorded his esteem for God's discipline. “His rod and his staff will give me encouragement” (Psalm 23.4). The rod was the shepherd's instrument to impart discipline when the sheep left the fold. With the same rod that the shepherd protected his flock from the dangers of the road and predatory animals, he also corrected the course of those who went astray.

Accepting the discipline and rebuke of the Lord is not always encouraging, however the fact that he is interested in disciplining us is a sign of his eternal love for the good of those who say we love him. Says the Lord: “I rebuke and discipline everyone I love. So be jealous and repent. (App 3.19). Holy word! Our children are sometimes not aware of how the Lord has manifested his greatness, his powerful hand and his outstretched arm in the family that we constitute, all symbols of the multiple ways in which He disciplines both us as parents, as well as the home. who has given us to rule in his name.

Personally, it may be that as parents we still have a long stretch to learn in disciplining children according to their childhood, adolescence or adulthood. It does not matter what stage they are in, nor their age. Children, young people, or adults for society, in general, in our interior, we continue to see them as helpless boys who from time to time require the rod of their father to correct their follies. We must ask God for only one thing: that our rod inspires them so that they do not lose heart and understand that discipline is also a beautiful way to manifest God's love.

To guide our children in the fear of God it is necessary for them to understand that our discipline, even if it comes from an imperfect parent, is beautifully necessary. We cannot leave everything to God, we have a role to play. Our children will respect and abide by the discipline imparted by the rod that inspires, not destroys and drives them out of their minds by exasperating, discouraging, and threatening and intimidating them. The problem is not being harsh with children for the simple fact of asserting authority as parents. Attention dear parents and brothers because the Lord gives us in his Word an incredible instruction to apply it: "He who avoids the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." (Pr 13.24). It sounds harsh to us, but it is the Word of the Lord and we have no excuses.

Leading children in the fear of God with the discipline that it demands of us, parents, is not easy, much less when half of our life - a little more or a little less, as is my case - we drifted without the knowledge of the father par excellence. We have no choice. God has given us a colossal task and we need your help. We cannot transfer it and we cannot execute it alone. Let us pray to him that his rod gives us encouragement and the one we apply to our children makes us better parents and them better children and parents and children better men and women who love the Lord in the zeal of God.

Another beautiful proverb that we should give to our children: "The commandment is a lamp, teaching is a light and discipline is the way to life" (Pr 6.23 NIV)

God bless you

To be continued: Part III final (Love)