Theme: THE LOVE OF GOD
Text: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither be weary of His correction. For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” – Proverbs 3:11,12.
Comment: No good parent will want his children to grow up into outlaws. Interestingly, the Scriptures regard as nothing short of hatred the attitude of carelessness in the upbringing of children. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” – Proverbs 13:24. See also Proverbs 23:13, 14.
Likewise, God Almighty, disciplines every worshipper by allowing such an one to face various conditions and trials so that “…he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God”. (1 Peter 4:1, 2) King David prayed: “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (Psalm 143:10) St. Paul, dilating on the text for today states: “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth for? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” He continued: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:5-11) What anyone who is going through chastisement should do is to be prayerful and to continue to do righteousness. Jesus Christ told the Laodicean church; “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” – Revelations 3:19.