September 18
“You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives,’” Hebrews 12:5-6.
The author of the Book of Hebrews reminds some of his readers that they have forgotten the exhortation given to the children of God as it is recorded in Proverbs 3:11-12, which is quoted in the verses above.
God deals with His children as true sons and daughters, whom every loving father will correct. The Lord, like a loving father, disciplines His children. The author uses the word “chasten,” which means “correct.” To chasten does not mean to punish, but to correct for one’s own good.
God-fearing parents do not chasten or correct their children because they hate them, but because they love them. If a son or daughter is going the wrong way, getting into the wrong company, or doing wrong and harmful things, then there is need for correction to get them going in the right way.
God deals with His children as a loving Father to keep them going on the way to salvation. He chastens or corrects us to keep us in the faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our sinful flesh, the sinful world around us, and the devil all seek to persuade us to trust in ourselves for our salvation. They all seek to lead us away from the Word of God, just as the Hebrews’ author wrote of those who forgot what had been written in the Old Testament.
When God chastens or corrects us, let us not become discouraged and doubt or question whether God really loves us. Look to Calvary’s cross, on which the Son of God and Son of Man died. Behold the price He paid to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He suffered and died to wash away our sins. He made us clean. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. The apostle Peter wrote, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” 1 Peter 1:18-19. Look to the cross and, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1.
Our loving Redeemer saved us, and He also chastens or corrects us. “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” The chastening or the correction might be painful at times. Children often weep when they are disciplined. However, later they are thankful for the correction. Later, the author writes, “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,” Hebrews 12:11. Spiritual discipline is for our good. Thank God when He disciplines you! It is evidence of His love!
“Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish ev’ry fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heav’n are still mine own.
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee Abba, Father!
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.” Amen.