Loving Discipline

by Donovan Sabog on December 14, 2023

SCRIPTURE:

"And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." Hebrews 12:5-8

 

OBSERVATION:

Have you ever prayed, “Lord, show me your love” and then run into hardship? As the writer of Hebrews shows us, your “problems” might just be your answered prayer. 

In Hebrews 12, we discover a key facet of God’s love: discipline. God shows you His love through discipline. He corrects you and rebukes you. He allows you to endure hardship, not because He hates you or wishes to cause you pain, but because He loves you. 

As a father disciplines His child, God disciplines you. He does so because He wants you to grow in your capacity. He wants you to mature in your faith. He wants you to do the hard work of heart work. He sees your potential, and He knows that you are capable of being even better than you are now; after all, He created you!

When you face discipline, don’t resist it; endure it. Know that God is disciplining you because He loves you. Discipline is required for growth, and it is a sign that you are a child of God.

APPLICATION:

I don’t think anyone desires to be disciplined. Discipline is difficult. It’s uncomfortable. It requires you to endure pain, correction, and maybe even a little suffering, but at the end of the day, it is always worth it because through it, you’ll experience His love.

What area or areas is God disciplining you in right now? Whatever it may be, don’t resist it; go along with it. Discipline is a sign of God’s love for you. Do not lose heart as he corrects you; His correction is your preparation for your calling. His rebuke is His reckless love for You. Let His discipline direct you to desire Him more. And when you do, He’ll transform you from glory to glory into the person He created you to be.

 

PRAYER:

God,

Thank You for your unconditional, unending love. You are my Father, and I am Your child. As much as it’s uncomfortable to endure, thank You for disciplining me and correcting me. I am imperfect, I make mistakes, and sometimes, I even desire the wrong things. I desire Your discipline, and I receive Your correction. As You discipline me, would you strengthen my faith, increase my maturity, and transform me into the person You created me to be. Thank You for loving me, even if it is through tough love like discipline. I love You, Lord, and I desire your ways.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

About the Author

Donovan Sabog

Pastor Donovan Sabog joined our staff in 2020 and was appointed as our Executive Pastor in 2025. He loves God, loves people, and is passionate about helping people discover their God-given potential, release their dreams, and become all God created them to be.

Donovan grew up at New Hope Oahu and has been a part of this church with his family since 2004. Starting from a young age, he served on our Worship, Youth Performing Arts Center, NHO Music, and Children’s Ark teams, and he led our Lighting Team through its transition from Farrington High School to our Ministry Center when he was a high school student at Punahou School. 

These experiences led him to Yale University, where he received B.A. degrees with distinction in Economics and History, and worked as Head Recruitment Coordinator and Senior Presenter for Yale Undergraduate Admissions. While at Yale, he performed in the Yale Spizzwinks and Yale Whiffenpoofs a cappella groups, traveling with these groups to 25 states and 35 countries across all six inhabited continents. Donovan also received his M.A. in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary.

Prior to New Hope, Donovan was a management consultant in New York City and has held various internships in finance, investment, education, government, and strategic policy at various firms in Hawaii. 

When he's not at church, you’ll probably find him eating a plate lunch (Garlic Chicken or Tonkatsu…with white rice and mac salad, of course), on a plane headed to serve the global Church on mission, or loving on people God places in his path.

Donovan is grateful to serve God, serve you, and do church as a team here at NHO. And if there’s one thing Donovan hopes that you always remember, it’s that “YOU ARE LOVED!”

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

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