INTRODUCTION

Rebukes are never easy to accept. The person receiving a rebuke may lash out in anger, even when a believer puts forth the effort to offer a scriptural rebuke with longsuffering. The Bible confirms this when it says, "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly" (Amos 5:10They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
See All...). This is not, however, the reaction of a wise man, and is often not the reaction of others after they have had time to consider the content and intentions of a godly rebuke. Afterwards, the one who rebukes finds "more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue." Ultimately, the Lord’s reaction is what matters and He is pleased by the scriptural practice of rebuking.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) When Amaziah was rebuked, he got angry and told the prophet to leave him alone or be killed (2 Chronicles 25:14-16 [14] Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. [15] Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? [16] And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
  See All...). When David was rebuked, he was sorry for his sin (2 Samuel 12:9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
  See All..., 13; Psalm 51:3-4 [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
  See All...a). We should be like David when rebuked.
• How should we expect others to react when we must rebuke them from the scriptures? How can it help us to think upon their reaction before the rebuke is offered?
• How should we react when others become distraught because they have received a rebuke? How can a godly reaction on our end help them be restored?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to prepare you for various responses to rebukes.
• Thank God for His longsuffering when you respond poorly.

HYMN

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

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