Whenever our heavenly Father uses the rod of correction!

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    ("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Do not despise the chastening of the Lord--nor faint when you are rebuked by Him." Hebrews 12:5

Whenever our heavenly Father uses the rod of correction--it is in love, and for our profit. We should not, therefore, on the one hand make light of it--and on the other hand, we should not sink under it in despondency.

If we err by treating Divine correction with indifference--we thereby ask for severer treatment, for the strokes of the rod must be repeated until we feel them and submit to them!

And if we err by fainting under rebuke--it is a proof that we forget how pitiful and tender a Father corrects us, and that He intends nothing but our present profit and everlasting good. Chastening only benefits us as we are "exercised" by it--and therefore we must feel it. But if we faint--we shall fail to apprehend the gracious purposes of it.

O my Father, let me ever turn to You, when You use the rod--in submission, in trust, and love. Do not allow me to slight Your gentler rebukes, and permit me not to faint under Your severer discipline. May I remember that, though "no chastening for the present seems to be joyous but grievous--nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby."

"Heed the rod--and the One who appointed it." Micah 6:9

"Trials make the promise sweet,
 Trials give new life to prayer;
 Trials bring me to His feet,
 Lay me low, and keep me there!"

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