The Loving Discipline of God
October 9 2026
Scripture Of The Day
“My child, don’t underestimate the value of the Lord God’s discipline and training, or become discouraged when he corrects you. His training is evidence of his faithful love. When he draws you to himself, it proves that you are his beloved child.” —Hebrews 12:5–6 (The Passion Translation)
Not long ago, as the Daytona 500 approached, I remembered an article I once read about Darrell Waltrip. He had a “bad boy” image—the kind of driver people loved to hate.
Then came a terrible crash. Darrell miraculously survived, and his life began to change. He started attending church with his wife. They longed to have a family, but his wife suffered four miscarriages.
One day, their pastor came to visit. He asked Darrell, “A beer company sponsors your car. Is that the image you want to represent?” Darrell had never thought about what his car’s sponsorship said about him. But the question stayed with him. He began to ask himself, If our prayers for a child are answered, what kind of father do I want to be? He remembered his pastor’s challenge: “Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
Darrell didn’t know how he could persuade the car’s owners to change sponsors. But an unexpected opportunity came when a new racing team—sponsored by a laundry detergent company—offered him a place. After much thought and prayer, he made the switch.
Two years later, his daughter Jessica was born. A few years after that, Sarah followed. And in 1989, Darrell won the Daytona 500.
Sometimes God’s correction comes through a question, a challenge, or a change of direction. It may be uncomfortable, but it is never meant to push us away. His discipline is an expression of love, guiding us toward the people he calls us to be.
God honors obedience and strengthens those who faithfully follow him.