“Punish them with the rod.” These words, which at first sound harsh, are actually Solomon’s. But there’s more to it. He says, “Punish them with the rod and save them from death.” (Proverbs 23:14). This certainly changes our perspective. Often, we focus only on the rod, not realizing what it’s saving us from. We see the punishment but not the freedom it grants. Life is undeniably full of challenges and trials. During these times, we tend to concentrate only on “Punish them with the rod” and lose sight of the “save them from death” part – the fuller context. The rod can indeed be harsh. It represents the challenges and difficulties we face, but these challenges are what shape, refine, and often save us. In life’s journey, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the immediate pain of our trials. However, if we step back and see these challenges as guiding us toward a better path, saving us from destructive ways, our perspective shifts. As we navigate through our valleys and face our own rods, let’s remember their saving power, not just the punishment. Open Bible – https://bit.ly/Pro23v14 (Joshua B)
