Our fathers’ have worn many different hats. Throughout life, he’s been our mentor, our coach, our hero, even “the bad guy.” Most of us realize he wasn’t really bad; he was just doing what we needed to become better people.
Hebrews 12:10-13, “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. 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. So, take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak, and lame will not fall but become strong.”
It's said that mended bones and muscles actually grow to become stronger. Our weakest point can actually become our strongest. Jesus told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” The discipline and instructions of our fathers are what God uses to shape us into people that reflect His image and should help us be more eager to adopt His ways of thinking.
That’s why its so important that a father not “go beyond his authority” and “should not provoke their children to anger by the way they treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
It’s such a great responsibility to be a father. David gave some helpful advice in helping to keep a father (or anyone for that matter) in check. He said in Psalms 26:2, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.”
Perhaps David’s strong desire to be right before God influenced his son Solomon. Because he wrote several books that reveal the wisdom of God. In the first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs, he encourages his son to hold tightly to the teachings of their father and mother. Today, many people rely on the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, but the Wisdom books (as is sometimes called) contain several other opportunities to learn wisdom. Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes are also part of the collection of the books of wisdom.
Each book is written from a different perspective:
Proverbs (the overall benefits of living “right”),
Job (don’t give up on God when things don’t work out as they should),
and Ecclesiastes (fearing God is more valuable than chasing anything of the material world we live in).
Our father’s discipline trains us to know how and why to respect God’s directions. His example of patience and perseverance trains us to never quit, and his teaching and coaching helps to tie it all together and show us the blessing of wisdom.
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