View source for A CONDITION IN CHASTISEMENT

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<p> <em>&quot;If need be!&quot;</em> — 1 Peter 1:6<br><br>
Three gracious words! Not one of all my <em>tears </em>has been shed for nothing! Not one <em>stroke of the rod </em>has been unneeded — or might have been spared! Your heavenly Father loves you too much, and too tenderly, to bestow <em>harsher correction </em>than your case requires!<br><br>
Is it loss of health — or loss of wealth — or loss of beloved friends? Be still! there was <em>a needs be! </em>We are no competent judges of what that &quot;needs be&quot; is; often through aching hearts we are forced to exclaim, &quot;Your judgment's are a great deep!&quot; But God here pledges Himself, that there will not be one <em>unnecessary thorn </em>in the believer's crown of suffering. No <em>burden </em>too heavy will be laid on him; and no <em>sacrifice </em>too great will be exacted from him. He will &quot;temper the <em>wind — </em>to the shorn lamb.&quot;<br><br>
Whenever the &quot;need be&quot; has accomplished its end — then the <em>rod </em>is removed, the <em>chastisement </em>suspended, and the <em>furnace</em>quenched.<br><br>
&quot;If need be!&quot; Oh! what a pillow on which to rest your aching head — that there is not a <em>drop </em>in all your <em>bitter cup — </em>but what a God of love saw to be absolutely necessary! Will you not <em>trust His heart</em> — even though you cannot trace the mystery of His dealings? Not too curiously prying into the &quot;<em>WHY </em>it is?&quot; or &quot;<em>HOW </em>it is?&quot; — but satisfied that &quot;<em>SO </em>it is,&quot; and, therefore, that all must be well!