Chastisement

‘For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child’ Heb.12:6

An earthly father’s love translates to favour, a multitude of gifts and occasional punishment when the child steps out of line. Punishment, because his love leads him to protect the man that boy will become. How much more our Heavenly Father who is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His acts. A number of times we are led to equate God’s love to blessings and good times alone. While all of these are expressions of His love, chastisement from God is also an act of love. ‘For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child’. People are quick to cite David as their reference point when you question their indulgence in sin. The argument is that David committed adultery and went scot-free and God was still good to him. It goes far beyond that. David committed adultery once and was never again found wanting in this zone. David was special to God no doubt; the Bible calls him the man after God’s own heart. He enjoyed uncommon blessings. However David also experienced punishment when he stepped out of line. ‘Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you …threeyears of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies [all those demons God has been keeping away from you. Or did you think it was by your power you get to sleep peacefully at night?], or three days of severe plague throughout your land?…’ 2 Sam.24:12-13. Just one angel killed 135,000 soldiers in one night; Three days was too much for God to wipe out the whole of Israel. He choose the most severe punishment because of the person behind it. There is mercy with God, even while He is correcting you. Men will offer you no mercy when it comes to punishment. Only the chastisement of God comes with mercy. It is wisdom to submit to the chastisement of the Father because He will have mercy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I submit to Your rebuke because You will correct those You love. I ask that You have mercy on me according to Your loving kindness and tender mercies, in Jesus Name.