If there’s sub-plot that you pick up from Jeremiah, it’s that he wasn’t just a prophet, he was a person too. He didn’t just speak the mind of God concerning “current events”, he endured them. And it wasn’t just his message which the culture about him sought to cancel, they sought to cancel him too — literally! Thus, not only is he a prophet who speaks the word of God, he is a person who weeps under the hand of God.

It’s one of his grief passages that captures my attention this morning. And as I chew on it, I’m thankful that God disciplines with justice.

I know, LORD,
that a person’s way of life is not his own;
no one who walks determines his own steps.
Discipline me, LORD, but with justice —
not in Your anger,
or You will reduce me to nothing.

(Jeremiah 10:23-24 CSB)

Sounds like Jeremiah had read the book of Hebrews (or at least the same Person who inspired Jeremiah to write, also breathed-out Hebrews), for it seems he “endured suffering as discipline” (Heb. 12:7a). And he seems okay with being disciplined by the LORD, “for what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (Heb. 12:7b) But his request was that it be done with justice.

Mine too. The justice of the cross. Where sin that is committed is sin that is atoned for; where a debt that is owed is paid for in full; where wrongs are made right, where evil is supplanted by righteousness — and all that by the LORD Himself. So that God “might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).

Disciplined with justice, trained through the finished work of the cross. The place where the truth of my sin was acknowledged, and the charges were laid. The place also where mercy walked in, and I was saved by God’s amazing grace. The place where mercy remains present and grace is still saving, even as the Lord disciplines those He loves.

Can’t help but think of the courtroom described in a song by Gordon Mote. Gonna listen to it again as I finish up my meal this morning. Here it is for you to do likewise.

Disciplined with justice.

By His grace. For His glory.