THERE IS HOPE WHEN GOD CHASTENETH (Part IV)

Divine chastisements serve not only to quicken the spirit of devotion in us, but also to rouse us from our coldness and indifference. One writer puts it aptly: “Afflictions serve to convince us more deeply of our own weakness and insufficiency, and to endear the person, the grace, the promises, and the salvation of our Redeemer, more and more to our hearts. Thus we are taught to esteem His very chastisements as precious on account of the benefits we derive from them.”

“Were it not for tribulation I should not understand Scripture” – Martin Luther. King David responded : “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law” (Ps. 94: 12). “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes” (Ps. 119: 71).

“How fast we learn in a day of sorrow! It is as if affliction awoke our powers and lent them new quickness of perception. We advance more in the knowledge of Scripture in a single day than in years before. We learn ‘songs in the night,’ though such music was unknown before. A deeper experience has taken us down into the depths of Scripture and shown us its hidden wonders” – Horatius Bonar.
 

How should we respond to God’s discipline?

“Despise not … nor faint”

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him” (Heb. 12: 5).
Refrain from harbouring a haughty spirit that mocks at the rod or a stubborn will that refuses to bow down: “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5: 17).
Some children consider the rod as the least necessary thing in the home. It is so with the children of God. When under the rod, we say, “I cannot see how this can possibly profit my soul?” Or we complain, “Why me? Why is everything against me?” In this way, we challenge God’s wisdom and sovereignty.

Many a Christian have been corrected by God, but alas, in vain. Illnesses, bereavements, losses, hardships have come, but they have not been sanctified by prayerful self-examination. “Consider your ways” (Hag. 1: 5); “ponder the path of thy feet” (Prov. 4: 26).

On the other hand, there is a fainting which utterly sinks beneath the rod and gives way to despondency. We faint when we respond to our afflictions with an unbelieving heart. We lose sight of the Lord and fail to lay hold on His promises. When unbelief rules the heart, we become dejected.
 

Repent of our sins

Whenever God’s hand is laid upon us, ask the Lord to show us how we have sinned. Search our depraved heart for areas of disobedience or rebellion. Like Job, let us pray: “Cause me to understand where I have erred” (Job 6: 24); “show me wherefore Thou contendest with me” (Job 10: 2). Turn, repent of our sins and seek the Lord’s forgiveness. When chastised, we need to view God not only as a Father but as a Teacher. We can learn precious lessons if we cultivate a teachable spirit.
 

Submit to the Lord

Our sovereign God has a purpose for smiting His children. Let us humbly submit to His correction. Remember, afflictions mould our Christian character: “… knowing that tribulation worketh patience;tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost …” (Rom. 5: 3-4).
 

Conclusion

Chastening is God’s gracious way of bringing His children back to Himself - from rebellion to obedience. To His suffering children, God’s rod may seem to speak of His frown or anger but “there is not a glance of vengeance in the Chastener’s eye” for He chastens in love for our own good. It is a correcting rod, not a destroying one. Its object is not to punish but to correct; not to hurt but to bless.

Not all discipline from the Lord is well-received. Some are hardened by it; some faint beneath it; some are profited by it. Much depends on the spirit in which chastisements are received. Those who are “exercised” under the divine rod are made “partakers of His holiness” (Heb. 12: 10) and bring forth “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12: 11). Others who receive chastisement negatively, who murmur and lament, become despondent and disappointed.

When chastened, we are constrained to seek God as we then feel our absolute need of that help and deliverance, which He alone can give us. Let us therefore take divine chastisement with a thankful heart. Kiss the rod of correction; pray for an obedient and teachable heart that our lives may be moulded for the glory of God and the blessing of our souls.
- Pastor