THE CHASTENING OF THE ALMIGHTY

 

EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 17

Job 5:17

 …the chastening of the Almighty.

 
Crosses are not curses.
 
Frowns are sometimes favoured.
 
Every child is chastened.
 
Chastened by the Almighty.
 
His chastisements are always wise.
 
He never corrects but for faults, though his dispensations are sometimes intended to draw out our graces and improve our principles.
 
If the Lord chastens us, it is because he loves us.
 
Let us not then mistake the character of our afflictions.
 
They are really mercies.
 
They are indispensable, unless our wise and gracious Father would allow us to be injured.
 
Let us therefore ask, “Why am I corrected?”
 
Let us prostrate ourselves before our Father’s throne, and while we acknowledge his wisdom in the discipline, beseech him to make his chastisement a blessing.
 
The Lord’s rod often blossoms and bears fruit.
 
Our present discipline is to prepare us for future duties, enjoyments, and gloires.
 
It is all right.
 
It is really kind.
 
It is for our good.
 
The rod is not in a stranger's hand, we are not suffering from the stroke of a cruel one, but from the chastening of the Almighty.
 
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.”
 

O Father of mercies on me,

In deepest affliction bestow,

A power of applying to thee,

A sanctified use of my woe.

 
James Smith