The chastening's of the Lord often appear severe but they are merciful. They correct our follies, subdue our proud wills, and soften and humble our hard hearts before Him. When God chastens, He teaches. The lessons are found in His Word but we never learn many of them, until we go through the furnace of affliction! We often learn more truth from one short, sharp affliction--than we do from many books and sermons!
In affliction, God teaches us our own emptiness and vanity, our dependence on Himself, and the insufficiency of all our earthly things! In affliction, God endears the Lord Jesus and His great salvation to us; shows us the value of the provision of grace; makes our consciences tender and honest; qualifies us for usefulness on earth; and fits us for the enjoyment of Himself in Heaven.
We need chastening. If we do not receive it, we become carnal and worldly, light and trifling, unsavory and useless in both the world and the church! It is a blessed thing to be chastened of the Lord, especially when the rod teaches us such important and invaluable lessons! Chastened Christians are generally the most useful and attractive Christians.
[James Smith]
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Micah 6:9 ... The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
Job 5:17 ... Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Psalm 94:12 ... Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; ❤
