April 15 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives" (Hebrews 12:5–6).

Devotional

The rod of your heavenly Father is upon you. In the experience of your sensitive spirit and feeling heart, the stroke is furious and heavy. To a keen sense of its severity is perhaps added the even keener conviction of the sin that has evoked it—that, except for your wanderings from God, your rebellion against his will, your disobedience of his commands, there would never have come upon you a correction so painful and humiliating.

But in your sorrow where will you go? To the solace and sympathy of whose heart will you take yourself? Will you flee from that Father, evading his eye, and shunning his presence? Eternal love forbids it!

What then? You will hasten and throw yourself into his arms! You will fall upon his bosom, confessing your sins and imploring his forgiveness. Thus taking hold of his strength, in a moment you will be at peace with that displeased and chastening Father.

Blessed is the man, O Lord, whom you chasten, and draw closer into the sacred shelter of your loving, shielding bosom. Oh, what an unveiling of God's heart may be seen in a loving correction! No truth in experiential religion is more verified than this—that the most severe discipline of our heavenly Father springs from his deepest, holiest love. There is more love, more tenderness, and more real desire for our well-being in his rebukes (however severe) and in his corrections (however bitter) than exists in the fondest affection a human heart ever cherished. And often, in his providential dealings with his children, there is more of the heart of God unfolded in a dark, overhanging cloud than is ever unveiled in a bright, glowing sunbeam. But this truth can only be learned in God's school.

God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
he plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill
he treasures up his bright designs,
and works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan his work in vain.
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.

(William Cowper, 1774)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.