GOD DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS

 EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 9

 

Hebrews 12:7

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

 
In what he bestows, and in what he withholds.
 
In what you suffer, and in what you enjoy.
 
Your God has made you his children by adopting you into his family, and new-creating you be his Holy Spirit.
 
He ever looks upon you as children, loves you as children, treats you as children.
 
He will not trust you with what will harm you, or where you will be in danger.
 
He corrects you as a child, not in wrath, but in mercy. Whatever is the means, you Father is the agent.
 
He works all things after the counsel of his own will.
 
You are at present under training-you are being educated for eternity.
 
The lessons you have to learn now, are for your benefit and honour in the future.
 
Every loss, every cross, every disappointment, every pain is necessary.
 
Do you believe this?
 
Do you recognize the hand of God in what befalls you?
 
Can you say with Job, “The Lord gave” health, wealth, children, friends, prospects, “and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!”
 
Or with Eli,
 
“It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.”
 

Whoe’er their heavenly Father fears,

His loving chastisement sustain,

Not one of all his children here

Is privileg’d from grief and pain,

Not one but feels in deep distress

This token of paternal grace.

 
James Smith