Devotion for July 28, 2008

Chastening of the Lord

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son [in whom] he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12 NKJV)

Our Heavenly Father communes with us through His Word. However, He also directs our lives with the loving hand of correction. We would do well to listen to His chastening for its purpose is our benefit.

There must be a tendency in our flesh to ignore God’s correction. If it is not ignored then we tend to become frustrated and angry. This tendency is clearly seen in our unwillingness to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” The usual response to trials is that of escape. “How can I get out of this mess?” However, these trials are designed to grow us in faith.

We should be thankful that God does not just leave us to our wicked ways as He has some. If you study the first few chapters of Romans you will discover that God has given some over to their lusts. Why did He do this?

“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man——and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:22-25 NKJV)

Three times God is said to have given them up or over in Romans. This is a judgment against them. Only God’s elect are chastened others are simply left to their wickedness.

My dear friend do not think it is a terrible thing should God burden you with a trial today. Whether big or small be thankful, count it all joy as James says, and ask the Lord to show you why He is chastening you. If He is correcting you, and you seek His will humbly, then I am confident He will not leave in the dark as to its purpose.

If He does not reveal a cause to you, and you have truly sought that cause in humility, then the trial is just part of living under the common curse of this world. A loving Father will point out your error if you do not despise His chastening.

“. . . God's chastising of his children for their sin, is a sign of grace and love, and not of his wrath, and thy damnation; therefore now there is no ground for . . . fear-‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’” (John Bunyan, The Fear of God)