“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
When I read this several nights back my heart was so filled with joy, for the revelation of God as my Father speaks to me in many different ways. It is the simplicity and honesty of this verse that moved me and continues to stir my thoughts.
In all truthfulness, there have been times that I have despised the chastening of my Father. Not really knowing or understanding the beauty of its meaning. I say that the chastening of the Lord is beautiful and good, because in it, much is revealed.
First, the fact that I partake in the chastening and correction of God tells me that I am His son. There is a double movement that takes place. Because, as God corrects me He also confirms me. Correction belongs to the children. I am now no longer under the wrath of God but under the correction of God. His correction is sweet because in it He confirms the greatest desire of my heart.
Second, Father corrects me because He loves me. I believe that for Christians, the reason it is a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:31)” is because of his love. For His children it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a loving God. I have a friend who once said that “it is not the wrath of God that I fear, but it is the love of God which I fear.” I agree with this, for in Christ I have been removed from the wrath of the Father (Romans 5:9). Love is the essence of every action that He makes towards me.
Thirdly, Father corrects me because He loves me, and because He also delights in me. “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” The Father delights in me! He delights in me! Wow! God Himself delights in me! And if He delights in me should I not also delight in Him and declare that His correction is good and sweet?
Read and hear as it is revealed in Hebrews 12:7-11
“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Praise the Father.
In all truthfulness, there have been times that I have despised the chastening of my Father. Not really knowing or understanding the beauty of its meaning. I say that the chastening of the Lord is beautiful and good, because in it, much is revealed.
First, the fact that I partake in the chastening and correction of God tells me that I am His son. There is a double movement that takes place. Because, as God corrects me He also confirms me. Correction belongs to the children. I am now no longer under the wrath of God but under the correction of God. His correction is sweet because in it He confirms the greatest desire of my heart.
Second, Father corrects me because He loves me. I believe that for Christians, the reason it is a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:31)” is because of his love. For His children it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a loving God. I have a friend who once said that “it is not the wrath of God that I fear, but it is the love of God which I fear.” I agree with this, for in Christ I have been removed from the wrath of the Father (Romans 5:9). Love is the essence of every action that He makes towards me.
Thirdly, Father corrects me because He loves me, and because He also delights in me. “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” The Father delights in me! He delights in me! Wow! God Himself delights in me! And if He delights in me should I not also delight in Him and declare that His correction is good and sweet?
Read and hear as it is revealed in Hebrews 12:7-11
“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Praise the Father.
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