Cause and Effect

I will give thanks to You with an upright heart, When I learn [through discipline] Your righteous judgments [for my transgressions]. PSALM 119:7 AMP

Few Lessons
1. Check your heart. Input always determines output. When you have not made an investment in appreciating God for whatever he brings your way, how would you live a life of thanksgiving? When all you see is what you do not have, how would you see all the good things that God has done for you or is presently doing?
2. What is the motive for worshipping or thanking God? Is it in full appreciation for who he is, or what you stand to gain? Man's applause is easy; you just have to do what pleases him, pretence inclusive. With God, you cannot pretend. He created the heart, therefore the heart cannot hide its true motives and intents. Is my heart right before God, and thanking Him with the right motives?
3. There are lots of things to be thankful to God for, but this extract discusses just a few. One of such lessons is the investment of God in our lives through our experiences. God sharpens, shapes, cuts, melts, molds, breaks and fills us as he pleases, so we can be all that he wants us to be. He disciplines us so we can be fit for use and fitted for purpose. Our lives are not ours in the first place, so  you cannot determine by yourself what you want to do, what you want to be, or where you want to go. That is God's prerogative. Another lesson of assurance is that God will punish sin, wherever it is found. This has got nothing to do with favouritism or partiality. Right from the first man, the wages of sin has always been death, and till now, nothing has changed. Love may give you many chances to repent, but judgment is bound to happen some day.
4. The balance of God's discipline and God's judgment is this: he desires to keep us away from sin and its evil consequences. That is the argument in favour of his discipline. He desires to teach us his ways so we can live right and live free. Because he has his eyes on my eternal destination, he will ensure that I learn all I can about Him and his expectations for my life. Even when I go wrong, he does not abandon me. He will punish so he can heal, he will punish so he can restore me, he will punish so that I do not become forever lost. Why would I not praise and thank him? Why would I not appreciate such wonderful foresight? Why would I take his dealings with me for granted? His time of favour is here.