It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Comment: Many today are pretty negative towards discipline. We see that negativity in some families, we see it in inappropriate treatment of criminal acts, and we suffer because of it. If God is not bringing any discipline into your life, the author says maybe you are not a true child of God. Earthly fathers didn’t always care much about their illegitimate children (previously called bastards), so maybe you are not a real child of God. And remember earthly parents don’t know everything, God does and hence His discipline is wise and in His perfect plan for you. It is planned to act to our benefit.
So the challenge is – stop being a wimp, walk the straight path, healed by God’s discipline. We need to consider what methods of discipline God uses. Not from this passage but I offer a few suggestions for you to consider and expand. Persecution; suffering; relationships with work mates, family members, neighbours; old age; unemployment. God knows and is involved in all of these because He is sovereign.
Prayer: Help me to profit rather than complain under Your discipling hand, O God.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for these comments on this passage. They are very true. We do not enjoy being disciplined, but it is for our good, and later when we look back, we understand why it was done, either by our parents, or by our loving God. In the prayer at the end, I wasn’t sure if you used the word “discipling” when you may have meant to use the word “disciplining.” God bless you.
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Both are acceptable words according to my dictionary and he does make us disciples and discipline us. So thanks for your thought. Both are acceptable I think, but yours may have been better! Barry
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