We rather avoid talking about correction. But God has a message for those who may be undergoing His discipline. It's a message of hope and encouragement.
Chastening is much a part of the Christian experience as receiving any number of His blessings. Hebrews 12:6 tells, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (KJV). Chastening is necessary for two reasons. It's a mark that we are His sons and daughters (verse 8). Consider then His correction as an opportunity to experience the Father's love. For many of us it means being healed of that very troubling word - father - a painful word for some to say and even harder to believe God is a good Father.
The end result of chastening according to Hebrews 12:9 is to share in His holiness.
Likewise God chastened His people after hundreds of years of warning against idolatry and all that follows such gross practices. But with their persistent refusal to listen and obey, He sent an army to destroy Jerusalem and drag His people to Babylon.
The prophet Habakkuk writes, "I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us." (Habakkuk 3:16, KJV).
As I read the text, my eyes fell on the words after the prophet talks about the loss of provision: "...yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (3:18). I have heard these words in sermons with an understanding that in time of lack or difficulty God is still worthy of praise - all of which is true.
But the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart of another blessing of chastening one I had not fully understood. Of course, as Hebrews 12:11 says, no correction is pleasant. Yes, correction was in context of being God's child. And yes, it was to purge me and bring me into a deeper, holy walk with Him.
Now here's the blessing I believe will encourage those experiencing a season of chastening. When we are willing to be corrected by God, He will in turn chasten the Enemy. The Enemy who has provoked us, tempted us sorely and accused us of horrible things, of failing God so much so that we are unclean for Him to love us.
I remember as a child my mother telling me to wait until Dad got home when I misbehaved. The hours seemed to slow and I just wanted him to hurry home to get my punishment over. I believe Habakkuk saw the horror of a vile and violent nation coming to his gates and all that it would mean. But he saw something beyond the chastening to when the enemy will be destroyed. A reason he declared he will wait patiently. He would wait on God to bring down the rod and then as a repented nation, restore Israel back to her homeland. And he will wait for God's justice to be done to the nation God used to humble Israel.
Beloved, God will chasten us out of His love and mercy to save us in the end. Whatever the Enemy has used in an attempt to destroy our lives - to humble us and grind us to powder - will be used against him. Remember His mercy will always triumphant over judgment and His mercy throws hell into confusion.
You can go through a time of chastening knowing God has only good in store for you, including destroying the works of the Enemy that almost took your life.
And that is our testimony as chastened, holy sons and daughter of God. That everything works for the good - even as David said, your rod and staff they comfort me - what has brought us the greatest pain makes for a lasting comfort (Psalms 23:4).
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