Do not despise the chastening of the Lord

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord

"Do not despise the chastening of the Lord—nor faint when you are rebuked by Him." Hebrews 12:5

Whenever our heavenly Father uses the rod of correction —it is in love, and for our profit. We should not, therefore, on the one hand make light of it—and on the other hand, we should not sink under it in despondency.

If we err by treating Divine correction with indifference —we thereby ask for severer treatment, for the strokes of the rod must be repeated until we feel them and submit to them!

And if we err by fainting under rebuke—it is a proof that we forget how pitiful and tender a Father corrects us, and that He intends nothing but our present profit and everlasting good. Chastening only benefits us as we are "exercised" by it—and therefore we must feel it. But if we faint—we shall fail to apprehend the gracious purposes of it.

O my Father, let me ever turn to You, when You use the rod—in submission, in trust, and love. Do not allow me to slight Your gentler rebukes, and permit me not to faint under Your severer discipline. May I remember that, though "no chastening for the present seems to be joyous but grievous—nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby."

" Heed the rod—and the One who appointed it." Micah 6:9

"Trials make the promise sweet,
  Trials give new life to prayer;
  Trials bring me to His feet,
  Lay me low, and keep me there!"

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