- loosely translated, this means do not mistaken a quiet tiger for a sick kitten. I first learned this verse as a kid, after my brother and I repeatedly taunted another kid who's shy but much bigger. After enduring our nonsense, he finally blurted out this verse, and showed us his fist. Then, the sudden realisation that this gentle Kong can pummel the two scrawny pestering monkeys into pulp anytime, stopped us in our tracks. From then on, we remember the difference between kittens and tigers.Most of us would like to think of God as a gentle, loving father and nothing more. A father who loves, who cares, who comforts, who gives, and maybe gives in to our whims and fancies too. We seldom like to think that God has an angry side; after all, it's not good for the publicity, we rationalise.
The fact is that, God, like any loving father, does get angry when He needs to. The Bible says in Number 14:18 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'
Yes, God is forgiving, loving, and patient, but He metes out punishment too when necessary. Discipline is part of the total wellness package. Hebrews 12:7-9 has this to say:
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
That's where some of us have a problem. We want the carrot but not the stick. Our society has even vehemently opposed to the use of cane on children. As if society today is so enlightened that we are able to stand on the right side and not stray out of our boundaries. But alas, look at the state of our society. Look at the gay movement, the beach raves and parties, the drug abuses, casual sex, abortions, pornography, child prostitution, extra-marital affairs, corporate scandals, and so on. It's a sorry state, if you ask me.
Which is why I rather have God get angry get us sometimes and shake some sense back into us before it's too late. I have had parents and teachers who disciplined me when I was growing up, and I thank God for them & their "moulding" sessions. As a growing Christian, I have my moulding sessions from God as well, and I thank God for them too. I would rather let God discipline me now and keep me on the right track than to face his wrath later standing on the wrong side of the court.
May God bless you,
Thomas
Category: cf_tht, sounding board
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