Despise not the chastening of the Lord

Despise not the chastening of the Lord

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction:

For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Pro.3:11-12)

God again calls you "My son" here. You may be a female. But if you are in Christ Jesus, you are "My son" indeed. A son has more privileges than a daughter. A son is supposed to be bolder than a daughter. A son is supposed to work harder than a daughter. A son is supposed to be a warrior more than a daughter. If you are His son, you have to undergo His rod of chastening or judgment. Nobody in the body of Christ is perfect. God chastens His imperfect sons so that they may be conformed to the image of His only Begotten Son. This is His will concerning His sons. Judgment by our Father is part of our spiritual journey in this world in the same manner as earthly fathers chasten and correct their prodigal sons. He corrects us because He loves us. Suffering in our body is part of His judgment only. God allows sickness or infirmity in our flesh to chasten us. God allows Satan to afflict His people with sicknesses. God allowed the Devil to afflict His servant Job with disease. The Devil afflicted Paul with a bodily infirmity. This bodily infirmity was termed as the messenger of Satan because the Devil had caused this infirmity. This bodily infirmity, a messenger of Satan constantly buffeted Paul when he wanted to glory in the abundance of the revelations. According to a report based on the church history, Paul had some infirmity in his eyes. Sickness is not a curse but is part of His judgment. When we suffer sickness, we have to examine our lives very closely to see whether we have grieved the Holy Spirit at any point of time or whether we have offended any member of His body through our word or deed. As God forgives your iniquities, He heals all your diseases (Ps.103:3). Iniquities and diseases are twined together.

The word of God says in 2 Sam.7:14, "I will be his father, and he shall be My son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men". If we commit iniquity, God will chasten us with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men. God does use our enemies to chasten us when we commit iniquity. It may be your work place or your business establishment. The dictionary meaning of the word “iniquity” is “want of equity or fairness; injustice; wickedness; crime”. Iniquity is different from sin. An act of omission to help a poor person is an act of unrighteousness or iniquity. If you fail to do justice to someone, it is an act of iniquity. If you are partial to someone in the matter of judgment, it is an act of iniquity.

God does chasten you because He is your father and you are "My son". In fact, God has not dealt with you after your sins, nor rewarded you according to your iniquities (Ps.103:10). If God should mark your iniquities, who shall stand? (Ps.130:3)

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty" (Job 5:17). "Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him" (Heb.12:5). When God chastens you, do not despise it. At times, we just ignore the matter when we face His judgment. This is an opportunity given by God to examine our ways before Him. During His judgment, you have to humble yourself before Him. Pray to Him like David, "Rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot pleasure" (Ps.6:1). Plead to Him,”O remember not against us former iniquities; let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low" (Ps.79:8).

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous, therefore, and repent" (Rev.3:19). When God chastens us out of His love, we have to be zealous and repent. As we repent through the Blood of Jesus Christ, we become blessed because our iniquities are forgiven, and our sins are covered (Rom.4:7).

Dearly beloved in Christ, are you suffering the chastening of the Lord by the rod of men and by the stripes of the children of men today? God is chastening you through your estranged spouse or through your enemies. If your spouse has forsaken you, just remember the instances wherein you had used abusive language against him/her. If your employer has denied you your rightful promotion, just remember the instances wherein you had abused your position in the organization and ill-treated your subordinate officials. If your daughter or son is leading a miserable life today without God, it is none but you to blame. Just remember the instances wherein you had allowed them to swallow in the youthful lust of the flesh. If you are bankrupt today, just remember the instances wherein you had turned away the servants of God who had appealed for funds to you or the instances wherein you had just overlooked some appeal for charity for some orphanage, old age home, etc. Be zealous and repent!

According to the New Covenant made through the Blood of Jesus Christ, God is merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and iniquities are no longer remembered by Him (Heb.8:9-13). Let us go to the Calvary again with a heart of repentance and receive His forgiveness by faith.

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