Word of Encouragement (10/2/2020)

Let’s continue with some truths to remember in times of temptation.

“12.     The purpose of chastisement is often to amend our ways, which is why it is called ‘correction,’ which means to set right or straight. Therefore, when a trial comes, you must try to uncover the sin for which God is correcting you (Job 36:9). When you have found it, be humbled by it, make your peace with God, and reform yourself (John 5:14 [“Afterward Jesus found [the invalid man Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda] in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you’”]). Then you may expect God’s sweet comfort, for the comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections is as plentiful and excellent as the brightness of the noonday sun, and as constant and durable as the light of the morning (Job 11:14-18).

“13.     Do not despise your afflictions, but see them as necessary trials that help you to better know God and yourself (Prov. 17:3; Zech. 13:9). As the skill of a pilot is unknown except in a tempest, and the valor of a captain is unseen but in a battle, so the worth of a Christian is untried except in a trial and temptation. If afflictions are sovereign medicines to kill spiritual diseases, look to the Lord to purge your sin, to refine you as silver in a crucible, and comfort yourself that you will lose nothing but the dross (Isa. 1:15-26). [Isn’t this so convicting and challenging? When trials come, we are prone to complain, saying, “I don’t need this, especially now!” So, we just want the trials gone as soon as possible so we can resume our “normal” life. Oh, how we miss the point! What we need more than anything from God’s point of view is our training in holiness and righteousness. That is God’s main concern and therefore it should be our main business. And God does what He does in our lives unto that goal. Until we accept this and order our lives around it, our lives will be a constant tug-of-war with God. Guess who will win that battle?]

“14.     Examine your heart and life for harbored sin, for unrepented iniquity. This, of course, is not the reason behind every trial, but more often than not, our continuance in sin and impenitence are the occasion for God’s Fatherly chastisement of us (Ps. 32:1-4; Heb. 12:4-14).” [Let us never forget that, for those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, God is no longer our Judge but our loving heavenly Father, that God’s fatherly discipline is an integral part of His love for us as long as we live in this world as yet-to-be-glorified saints. It is not that God disciplines us even though He loves us; He disciplines us because He loves us.]

Have a blessed weekend as you bask in God’s fatherly love, including His fatherly discipline!