May 13, 2026 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs

Proverbs 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Proverbs 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Proverbs 23:13  Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Correction is a forgotten practice in our modern world. The idea of correction to the lost unsaved world is foreign. However, the truth is, that a child left to himself bringeth shame to the family. I recently read a street sign along the highway that said; It is easier to correct your child now than to let the prison system do it later.

Where there is no biblical correction there is chaos.

As a child, my father would correct me using the rod or the switch or the belt. Although it did not feel good at the time it was needed my part for I was an unruly child. Trouble was a part of my life.

Hebrews 12 gives us a clear definition of my father’s correction and God’s plan in correction.

Hebrews 12:10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

I am not telling you how to correct your child or even suggest your child needs correction. We are simply reading God’s word.

There is a great truth that is given here in these verses. It is the use of the term rod. A rod was the instrument of correction, not the hand. When the rod was used it was undeniable that correction was implemented.

In the family, the hand was never to be used for correction because the hand is supposed to be for love, and care and affection. When the bare hand is used for correction the element of love, care and affection is thwarted. Have you ever seen a child for fear shrink away from a person who raises their hand. That is because they have been corrected with the open hand; maybe they were slapped or hit with the closed fist. At that point love care and affection is gone and replaced with fear.

Now you know why God said use the rod. There is fear of the rod but never fear of the hand for the hand brings love.

The Lord brings correction through His word, but He also offers love and redemption to those who would turn from sin and trust Him as their personal Saviour. There is wonderful balance with God and His love and His correction.

Would you trust Him today?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook