Living as God’s children

Psalms 119:65-72 NLT
[65] You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. [66] I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. [67] I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. [68] You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. [69] Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. [70] Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. [71] My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. [72] Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.65-72.NLT

V67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

V71 It is good for me that I was afflicted (suffered), that I might learn (pay attention, take heed according to) your statutes

V75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me (allowed me to experience much loss and suffering)

Jeremiah 31:18-19 NLT
[18] I have heard Israel saying, ‘You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord my God. [19] I turned away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’

https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.31.18-19.NLT

Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT
[5] And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. [6] For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” [7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? [8] If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. [9] Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? [10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. [11] No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.5-11.NLT

Discipline is good and necessary for life; for learning how to live as children of God.
If our earthly fathers disciplined us and we received it, how much more should we endure the discipline and suffering that our heavenly Father uses to purify and test us.

Silver and gold are tested and purified by fire. God tests and purifies our hearts with and through His word (Proverbs 17:3). He’s transforming us by renewing our minds, making us more and more like Him, instead of conforming to the image of this world (Romans 12:1&2)

Proverbs 8:10-11 ESV
[10]  Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, [11]  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.8.10-11.ESV

Proverbs 8:19-21 NLT
[19] My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! [20] I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. [21] Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.8.19-21.NLT

God’s discipline comes as we take heed (listen intently and put into practice) according to His word. His wisdom is imparted through the living power of His word; His instructions, His wisdom and knowledge, are better than riches, than much gold and silver. Her proceeds are better than the finest jewels.
His gifts, His wages are the payoff for the discipline we endure as children of God. Walking the path of righteousness and justice are the results of accepting and enduring the discipline and correction of God.

Suffering comes as we wander away from God, from His will, His word and commandments. As we allow the world to influence us, taking us further away from God, into darkness and outside of His Kingdom, it isn’t hard to remember Him, to repent and return to Him, allowing him to rescue and restore us by the living power of His word. Don’t despise His word or His discipline, because it’s His name you are wearing. It is His image that He’s shaping you into. He is molding you, your heart, mind, soul and strength, as you look more and more like Him daily; on the inside first, and eventually the outside behavior and attitudes and what other people see. When His light shines bright through you, others will see your good works and your Father in heaven will be glorified .

When we think about the times we have strayed from God; from His word, His will, His discipline, we remember how we used to have it; how we lived in love, peace, joy and in mercy and grace, loving and freely forgiving others, as we followed Him. What we had when we wandered was chaos and disorder, being filled with anxiety, stress, depression, evil thoughts and desires of the flesh; lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life consumed us; our hearts, mind and body. We pushed God away. Then we realized how much we’ve lost and suffered.
It’s never too late to return, as the prodigal son did. Not as a wandering vagabond, but as a son and heir of the promises of God