Welcoming rebukes

"LET A RIGHTEOUS MAN STRIKE ME—IT IS A KINDNESS; LET HIM REBUKE ME—IT IS OIL FOR MY HEAD; LET MY HEAD NOT REFUSE IT." PSALM 141:5

David loved the community of believers. When he was stranded in the wilderness he treasured sweet memories of corporate worship and longed to be with God's people again (Psalm 42:4).

Here David celebrates what the New Testament calls "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), a crucial ingredient in real spiritual maturity. He saw the dangers of spiritual isolation, and he saw the safety and joy of righteous correction.

Rebuke hurts, no mistake about it. David knew that, and stirred up his own soul to see it for what it really is: kindness and refreshment.

Do you long for the rebukes of the righteous people in your life? Do you know how much you need them? Do you invite them and embrace them when they come your way? Or do you hate godly correction?

This is just another reason to be an active member of a solid local church where believers speak the truth to one another in love, and where those same believers celebrate the truth when it comes their way, even when it hurts.

GODLY CORRECTION IS, AFTER ALL, PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US (HEBREWS 12:6).

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