“For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6, RSV).

Noticing that a shepherd in Syria was carrying food to a sheep that had a broken leg, a traveler asked how it happened. “Did it fall into a hole or did some animal break the leg?” He queried.

“No,” said the Shepherd, “I broke it.”

“You broke it?” Asked the surprised traveler.

“Yes. This is a wayward sheep. It wouldn’t stay with the flock and would lead some of the sheep astray. It wouldn’t let me near it and so I had to break it’s leg so it would allow me to feed it. In doing this it will get to know me as its shepherd, trust me as its guide, and keep with the flock.”

Sound familiar? Been there. Done that!

Whom the Lord loves he chastens! Isn’t it good to know that the Lord loves us … when we walk away limping!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you care enough to discipline us, and love us enough to chastise us when we stray from the beaten path. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

By Dick Innes, Daily Encounter www.actsweb.org/detoday . Used by permission.