Receiving rebuke

“Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness; let him rebuke me – it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.” Psalm 141:5
It takes a strong person to be able to say that being struck (physically or metaphorically) is a kindness; that they will gladly receive rebuke and criticism. Our natural reaction to being rebuked is to retaliate, and ignore what is said – even if it’s a close friend who is trying to help us, and rebuking us is the only way to get our attention. But someone who is wise will listen to criticism when it comes from a trusted source.
Prov. 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” We all need a good Christian friend in our lives who will give us that kick up the backside when we need it, to get us back on track. And if we have such a friend, we need to let them know how much we value them.
The NIV has an interesting footnote on this verse: it could also be translated, ‘Let the Righteous One strike me – it is a kindness’, etc. God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us, but He allows them – so that He can use them to make us more mature. If we do face difficulties, we can have assurance that God is still in control, and that He is using them to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Peter wrote in his first epistle, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Pet. 4:19). Sometimes suffering is part of God’s will for us. But He is faithful; He only wants what is best for us in the long run.