2 Samuel 24:14 – Then David said to God, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”
Lord God, I’m glad to be in your hands whatever those hands may bring. Creation doesn’t care about me. I’m just part of its cycle. I’m just something to be conqueror. I’m just something to be used. Creation doesn’t care about me. People are about the same. I think about the way the way that I parent my children. Even my best moments of discipline fall short of the loving and merciful discipline you. I don’t always achieve the desired result of discipline. That’s why David made a good choice here. To be under the curse of creation is no place to be. To be under the scourge of men is no good either. But to be under your discipline, Lord, is a good place to be. It may be painful. It may hurt my body or even my spirit. But you, Lord, always do the right thing with the right heart. You discipline me so that I may share in your holiness. You chisel me with your Word that I might be formed according to your likeness. AND you show perfect mercy. You see my suffering under your hand and you delight to show mercy and kindness to me. You pulled back your hand and showed mercy to him and to all Israel. You truly do hate to see your people hurt. Lord, discipline me but only in mercy. Lord, discipline me but don’t punish me. I can’t handle the hell I deserve. Teach me, instruct me, that I might be conformed to your likeness, that I might be like you through and through. Amen.