Focus: Proverbs 3:11-12 - KJV
11. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12. For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:4-11
There is a difference between affliction from the enemy and chastisement from the Lord. While the one, like in the case of Job, is a result of wickedness orchestrated by the devil, the other is instituted by God as a father for correction of His children that they may be perfected thereby. Neither the affliction nor the chastisement is palatable while it lasts. Nonetheless, like David when he surreptitiously conducted a census of Israel and caused calamity to befall the nation, he was given the option to choose what should be done to him, he preferred to fall into the hands of God for chastisement since the Lord is a merciful father. Invariably, the chastisement of the Lord is never intended to destroy but to prune the excesses of the child who is a branch in the vine, that upon healing, he might bring forth much and better fruit. God’s chastisement is done in love.
There are those who rebuff chastisement thinking it is unjust punishment and therefore forsake the Lord, their lover for the sake. It is never a good thing to fall from the hands of the Lord unto that of the enemy. As God is merciful, the enemy is only hurtful and destructive continually. Such people end up having eternal and greater regrets than they would have if they endured the chastisement of the Lord. Hence, when we recognize clearly that it is the Lord at work in our situation, we should just submit unto Him and continue to seek His face for mercy rather than become stiff-necked. Paul endured all hardship for the sake of the Gospel dubbing it the refiner’s fire and, in the end, came out like pure gold. If after he started to encounter the issues he faced, he had cursed God, he would have lost the glory that was reserved for him.
Beloved, whatever the Lord is taking you through as a result of your past mistakes is meant to guide you unto the right path. The situation will definitely give way once you have come to correctness. Please do not because of the momentary chastening turn your back on your God. There is no better place to be than to be with Him. Your rescue and succor in the situation are to approach Him for clues as to what you are doing wrongly or what you are not doing correctly, and He will surely show you, by His mercies. When He shows you, please adjust quickly and see the situation ease completely. To do otherwise is to resist His chastening. Those who so refuse fail the examination and would have to repeat the same until they pass, else they can never be promoted. If we must be promoted of God, then we must endure His chastening.
SOLUTION: Approach the Lord always for His leading whenever things go negative. By doing so, you will discover if it be the enemy in operation or the Lord chastening you. The line of action to tow is dependent on what it is. If it is chastisement, please learn quickly what the Lord is leading you to and adjust and you will become free.
Please pray: Father, please help me to appreciate your leading at all times that I may not fall into error before you. If I ever fall into error, help me to realize my mistake that I may quickly adjust by your Spirit, in Jesus’ name. In all, I will rather fall into your hands than that of the enemy; do give me succor in all, by your mercies, in Jesus’ name.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
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