| The Way of Victory |
Chapter 1 |
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Frequently when we fail to remember the commands God has laid upon us He seeks to bring us back to a life of trustful obedience by the chastening of sorrow or privation. We rebel, but the Wise Man pleads with us as Sons of God not to despise the chastening of the Lord. The Bible always talks to us as children. It comes with a father’s authority, and also with a father’s lovingness and gentleness. It is hard, however, not to despise chastening. Certainly it is hard to love it. No child likes to be chastised by an earthly parent or teacher. Of course it is not possible that we should really enjoy and find pleasure in being chastened. That is not natural. Indeed the Bible says: “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous.” Not even faith in Christ and the grace of God in our heart can take the sting out of chastening. We are not expected then to learn to like it. But we are told not to “despise” it. That is, we are to accept it without murmuring, without complaining, reverently, as God’s messenger to us, bringing a blessing. There are some thoughts suggested in the very words of this verse that will help us to receive chastening meekly, in faith and love. One is that it is “of the Lord.” It is his chastening. He sends it. We know that He loves us with infinite affection. He would not take pleasure therefore in causing us pain, nor would He do it at all were it not in some way for our good. We may conclude therefore that our chastcning is of the Lord it comes to us always witha blessing from Him. In the Epistle to the Hebrews we are told that God chastens us “for our profit, that we be partakers of His holiness.” The word” chastening” is also suggestive. In thc margin of the Revised Version it is “instruction.” “Despise not the instruction of the Lord.” The lessons are hard, but hard lessons are most valuable. That which costs little or comes easily is not of great worth. We get nothing of value without paying its full price. We may think of God as instructing us in any affliction He sends upon us. There is some lesson He wants us to learn. We ought not to despise any instruction our Father gives us, though it be costly and painful.
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