As I am praying and preparing for our fast tomorrow I was reading in Hebrews as that is where we are studying on Tuesdays, I was hit by this great reminder of chastening. I know we all love it so. My earthly father, my Dad was a good man but he gave his only son (very rebellious son) a very hard time. I kicked against the pricks every day thinking he was horrible and showing him how I felt. Finally one day he came to me exasperated with our constant fighting and said, “Son, I never had a father. He left us when I was still very small and I do not know how to do this job as a father. I promise you that I will try harder to understand you and I ask if you will cut me a little slack so that we can work together to get you grown.” Yep, I cried as I wrote that. He continued to chasten me and correct me but I saw it differently from that day on. He loved me and had to teach me how to be a man. He did and I am thankful for that to this day. He loved me through it all. In Hebrews 12: 5-6 the writer says we have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to us as sons, and then quotes from Proverbs the reminder that whom He loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Praise God, and as the text continues I do not want to be counted illegitimate. No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful, nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it(12:11). We as a nation and a community have surely been tried this year but there must be a reason cause the Bible tells me so. Take heart, you have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin(12:4).
Have a good day tomorrow and don’t forget that chastening is good…repeat after me. Love you, Jim
LIFE meets tonight at 7:00, please join us if you can.