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(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")
"Blessed is the man You chasten, O Lord--the man You
teach from Your law!" Psalm 94:12
The chastenings of the Lord often appear severe--but they
are merciful. They . . .
correct our follies,
subdue our proud
wills, and
soften and humble
our hard hearts before Him.
When God chastens--He teaches. The lessons are found in His
Word--but we never learn many of them, until we go through the furnace of
affliction! We often learn more truth from one short, sharp affliction--than we
do from many books and sermons!
In affliction, God teaches us . . .
our own emptiness
and vanity,
our dependence on
Himself, and
the insufficiency of
all our earthly things!
In affliction, God . . .
endears the Lord
Jesus and His great salvation to us;
shows us the value
of the provision of grace;
makes our
consciences tender and honest;
qualifies us for
usefulness on earth; and
fits us for the
enjoyment of Himself in Heaven.
We need chastening. If we do not receive it--we become . . .
carnal and worldly,
light and trifling,
unsavory and useless
in both the world and the church!
It is a blessed thing to be chastened of the Lord,
especially when the rod teaches us such important and invaluable lessons!
Chastened Christians are generally the most useful and attractive Christians.
"Heed the rod--and the One who appointed it!" Micah
6:9
Chastened Christian! Seek grace . . .
to bear the rod,
to bless the rod,
and
to kiss the hand
that holds the rod!
"Blessed is the man whom God corrects--so do not
despise the chastening of the Almighty!" Job 5:17
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