Father Knows Best!
God's discipline is for our good, that we may share in His holiness.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's discipline is always for our good, as illustrated in Hebrews 12:10. He explains that what God wills--whether it be sickness, weakness, poverty, reproach, or even death--is ultimately better for us than the opposite, as God's wisdom and goodness ensure that His plans are perfect. Brooks encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and remain silent before Him, recognizing that His ways are higher than our own.
Text
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they
thought best; but God disciplines us for our good,
that we may share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10.
What God, our Father wills, is best.
When He wills sickness, sickness is better than health.
When He wills weakness, weakness is better than strength.
When He wills poverty, poverty is better than wealth.
When He wills reproach, reproach is better than honor.
When He wills death, death is better than life.
As God is wisdom itself, and so knows that which is
best; so He is goodness itself, and therefore cannot
do anything but that which is best--therefore remain
silent before the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- God's Discipline is for Our Good
- God's Ways are Better than Ours
- Remaining Silent Before the Lord
- God's ways are wiser than ours
- God's ways are more beneficial than ours
- Recognize God's sovereignty
- Trust in God's goodness
Key Quotes
“What God, our Father wills, is best.” — Thomas Brooks
“When He wills sickness, sickness is better than health.” — Thomas Brooks
“As God is wisdom itself, and so knows that which is best; so He is goodness itself, and therefore cannot do anything but that which is best--therefore remain silent before the Lord.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize God's sovereignty in your life and trust in His goodness.
- Remain silent before the Lord, acknowledging His wisdom and goodness.
- Trust that God's will is always best, even when it's difficult to understand.