Chastening hurts? Or helps?

 

Yesterday was a delight. God granted great joy and opportunities to encourage others in their faith. I woke early this morning thinking of all that God was teaching me and how I wanted to be useful to Him. He reminded me of this:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

Paul was called to do what he did. I’ve never had a sense of a call, only the ‘next step’ and this has sometimes been a concern. Yet I see now that God has used me as I obey Him, not in an official church position or a ministry with a name attached, but to speak truth. Years of leading Bible studies is part of that. Lately it is just talking with people, three of them yesterday who thanked me, even though I felt it was me who should thank them.

One writer says it is easier to serve God without a vision or a call because common sense can easily replace His requirements. I’ve never felt that I have common sense. I only know that the Father wants me to be like His Son and that has been my goal. He continually lights my darkness and is on my mind. I know what it means to not account my life precious to myself, but I also know the discipline needed from God to think that way and not be concerned about my usefulness, only that I belong to Him and He loves me.

Yet with that love comes what is needed to become what He wants me to be. He uses all things, some pleasing and some that feel like punishment. But God’s idea of punishment is the parental idea of chastening. According to Webster, chastening means “to inflict pain upon anyone in order to purify from errors or faults.” This means:

The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” … For (our fathers) disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:6, 10)

To build my character and transform me, what happens to me is not as important as who I am and what God is trying to make of me, both for now and for eternity.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)

Affliction seems less harsh if I can focus on the outcome. Another writer illustrates it with the words of a village blacksmith:  

“When I am tempering a piece of steel, I first heat it, hammer it, and then suddenly plunge it into this bucket of cold water. I very soon find whether it will take temper or go to pieces in the process. When I discover after one or two tests that it is not going to allow itself to be tempered, I throw it on the scrap heap and sell it for a cent a pound when the junk man comes around. So I find the Lord tests me, too, by fire and water and heavy blows of His heavy hammer, and if I am not willing to stand the test, or am not going to prove a fit subject for His tempering process, I am afraid He may throw me on the scrap heap.”

Job was more confident, at least at times. He said it this way: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)
A poet wrote it this way:

“Things that hurt and things that mar
Shape the man for perfect praise;
Shock and strain and ruin are
Friendlier than the smiling days.”

PRAY: Jesus, I am understanding Your love for me with a much broader perspective. Being “God’s spoiled brat” has brought much enjoyment, but I now see being God’s disciplined child is a far greater joy. Thank You for loving me while still a sinner, but loving me so much that You are not leaving me like that. I’ve never wanted to be on the shelf or in the scrap heap.

Peace in this messy world . . .

 

Current events are difficult to understand. While sin never makes sense when I am thinking in a godly way, the extent of it seems beyond rationale, even to a worldly mind. However, God uses today’s devotional to remind me of Judas.

Jesus picked him. Jesus knew this man would betray Him. He picked him anyway. Every choice and action Jesus made was in obedience to the Father. Regardless of the cost. When He was in the garden, He prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done.” He also said:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

Judas was part of God’s salvation plan. To die, Jesus must be arrested. To be arrested, someone would betray Him. Not that Judas was a robot, but God knew and Jesus also knew what this man would do. And God works all things together for His purposes.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God used this greatest evil, the betrayal and death of His sinless Son, to accomplish the greatest good possible — the redemption of sinners. The God who did that can also use wars, wildfires, slavery, crime even, to accomplish things I cannot see nor can I understand or make sense of.

This does not mean God is moving people around like pawns on a chess board, but it does mean in His sovereign will and plan, nothing will stop Him from accomplishing it. Just like nothing can stop Him from loving us:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35–39)

Sometimes my prayer time is like the song — in the garden when the dew is still on the roses. Sometimes it is in a lineup waiting for something, or in a room full of people singing praises. Sometimes it seems more like being in a war room with Him, planning the battle and engaging the enemy. In these situations of personal prayer, does anyone know what I am doing? Not usually. It is only when the prayers are answered and I shout the story that the world around me realizes this hidden activity. If I, a mere mortal and a forgiven sinner, can do that in secret and something in the world is changed because of it, how much more can Almighty God be at work and we cannot see Him or see what He is doing?

What is going on in the world is like the psalmist said:

When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. (Psalm 77:16–19)

And the NT echoes the same faith in this unseen God who is at work . . .

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, just as Noah didn’t fully understand why he was building an ark, I often don’t understand what is going on around me or why You ask me to do certain things. The world does not make sense most of the time, yet You are always active, always involved. Sin says otherwise — an excuse for doing what sin does — but knowing and realizing Your presence and love for this world, for sinners and for me, is a strong anchor. You keep me from drifting off away from the peace and joy that is within when my focus says on You.

READ: Isaiah 26:3-4. What are some ways to keep my mind on the unseen Lord and to keep trusting Him?