Message summary: Consider the words “later on” and the wonderful promise of God that follows. Let it minister to your heart and fill you with hope and encouragement as you diligently wait for that most certain “later on” that will come to pass.

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"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

This morning I called a friend who is in a long period of recovery as a result of a stoke this last Spring. When undergoing a trial it's good to consider others, many who are having a harder and longer time of healing.

The daily Scripture portion presents a vital perspective on trials (discipline). It's a simple truth all of us, even a young child, can attest to: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful".

The context draws a parallel between the discipline of a loving earthly father and that of our loving heavenly Father. Among the clear Biblical mandates for a father is the discipline of his children. Our heavenly Father also disciplines His children and we know at times His discipline (not to be confused with punishment) may certainly not be pleasant and may indeed be painful.

A tremendous truth that we do well to settle deep in our hearts is that “God disciplines us for our good” (Hebrews 12:10). That God is sovereign is a great assurance in our trials and the aspect which we know deep in our hearts to be true; that God is good and has our best interests in mind.

There is a promised consequence to God’s discipline in trials: “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it".

Especially note the two words “later on”. “Later on” is unspecific as to the timing and this is what makes it so very hard. So many of us are waiting for that “later on” to take place in our life, not knowing when it will take place. But God’s Word is sure and His promises are steadfast. “God disciplines us for our good" and this disciple "produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it".

Some of you are in the very midst of a discipline that is by no means pleasant. In fact it may be very painful. Perhaps you’ve been let down and disappointed. You just can’t figure out what God is up to in your life. You may even feel forsaken. And at this time you don’t have any idea how your situation will ever work out.

Consider those words “later on” and the wonderful promise of God that follows. Let it minister to your heart and fill you with hope and encouragement as you diligently wait for that most certain “later on” that will come to pass. Indeed,