The Chastening Of The Lord

by Pastor Mark
November 07, 2024

Understanding the chastening of the Lord

The chastening of the Lord is not an easy subject to study. We need the Lord’s wisdom to help us find a deeper understanding. The author of Proverbs wrote, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction;” (Proverbs 3:11) How should we understand the word “chastening?” It is associated with the words…correction, rebuke and discipline. The Lord is able to see all our errors and sins. When we are stubborn in our ways, He will chasten us with His firm hand of correction.

King David would have told Solomon about what God had said to him concerning this matter of chastening, “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.” (2 Samuel 7:14) This served as a warning to Solomon about falling into iniquity. The Lord’s chastening would be a painful experience as difficulties are encountered. How should we respond to the Lord’s chastening?

The wrong responses to the Lord’s chastening

1. Despising

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,” (Proverbs 3:11)

  1. Some may respond wrongly to the Lord’s disciplining.
  2. They end up despising the Lord’s chastening.

2. Detesting

“Nor detest His correction;” (Proverbs 3:11)

  1. Some may hate the Lord’s correction.
  2. They would detest what the Lord is doing to them.
  3. These are wrong responses to the Lord’s chastening.

Reasons for the Lord’s chastening

Let us consider the reasons for the Lord’s chastening.

1. The love of the Lord

“For whom the Lord loves He corrects,” (Proverbs 3:12)

  1. God chastens out of a heart of love for us.
  2. He disciplines us, for He knows what is best for us.
  3. He does not desire that we continue in our sinful ways and end up being destroyed.
  4. God loves us and desires for us to turn from our evil ways.

2. A Father–son relationship

“Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12)

  1. The Lord as our Father loves us as His children…just as a human father does.
  2. He corrects us because He delights in us…it is for our sake.
  3. We ought to recognise that this chastening is done out of our Father’s love for us.

The correct responses to the Lord’s chastening

The chastening of the Lord is meant for our profit (Hebrews 12:10). It helps us to become partakers of the Lord’s holiness (Hebrews 12:10). Let us not despise or detest the Lord’s correction. Let us be challenged to understand, accept and endure the chastening of the Lord.

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