Chastening of the Lord

Chastening has a few meanings.

Each one we can apply to our lives coming from God.

1. To correct with or without punishment or suffering - same as discipline

2. To prune of excess, pretense, or falseness

3. To cause to be more humble or restrained

The Lord corrects us, both in His word, and sometimes through the things we experience in life.

We don't like to think of it, but sometimes a hardship teaches us a valuable lesson.

Of course, the best correction, the easiest is straight from the Bible.

Reading it and understanding it and putting it into practice in our lives.

But sometimes we are resistant, and other times we struggle to understand.

Deuteronomy 8:5

You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.

God corrects us for our benefit.

Just like we correct our children.

Job 5:17

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;

Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."

Learning from God, being corrected, is a good and happy thing.

He wants the best for us in our lives.

We don't always know what is best, but we can learn from the Lord.

Psalm 94:12-13

12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord,

And teach out of Your law,

13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,

Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

The Lord blesses us with wisdom and grace.

If we will listen and study, He will give us understanding.

Then we will live a better life here, while we wait for our ultimate salvation int he time of judgment.

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Realize the Lord teaches and corrects us for our benefit because He loves us.

He cares about our life here.

The Lord instructs us in life to help us have a good life, a productive life, a satisfying life.

A life of peace and contentment, of a job well done.

And this is a sincere life, of following Jesus.

Following His example in what we do for others, how we live and present the gospel.

So, when we read the Bible and we find things that correct us, that tell us we are doing wrong, we need to accept this teaching and correct ourselves.

We don't change the Bible to suit what we want to do.

Our pride and sinful nature will fight against it, but we can overcome that.

It may take multiple tries, or we may fail multiple times, but we can improve and do better as we draw closer to the Lord.

Eventually we can retrain ourselves to be more like Jesus.

It takes effort but it is worth it.

And when we face hardship or persecution, take advantage of those times to learn the lesson presented.

Sometimes we cause our own hardship, and we learn not to do those things.

Other times we face trouble or a trial, and we must learn to trust the Lord and be patient.

Remember that these things will pass, and they are an opportunity to build our faith.

Use these times of teaching, correction or chastening to draw closer to Jesus.

Don't let them pull you away or cause you to fall away.

Remember that the Lord is with you and will strengthen you.

Don't give up.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’