Divine Chastisement # 3

Divine Chastisement # 3

Paul. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure (2 Cor. 12:7). This "thorn" was sent not because of failure and sin, but as a preventative against pride. Note the "lest" both at the beginning and end of the verse. The result of this "thorn" was that the beloved apostle was made more conscious of his weakness. Thus, chastisement has for one of its main objects the breaking down of self-sufficiency, the bringing us to the end of our selves.

Now in view of these widely different aspects chastenings which are retributive, corrective, educative, and preventative, how incompetent are we to diagnose, and how great is the folly of pronouncing a judgment concerning others! Let us not conclude when we see a fellow Christian under the rod of God that he is necessarily being taken to task for his sins!

We shall now consider the spirit in which Divine chastisements are to be received. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him" (Hebrews 12:5).

Not all chastisement is sanctified to the recipients of it. Some are hardened thereby, others are crushed beneath it. Much depends on the spirit in which afflictions are received. There is no virtue in trials and troubles in themselves; it is only as they are blessed by God that the Christian is profited thereby. As Hebrews 12:11 informs us, it is those who are "exercised" under God's rod that bring forth "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." A sensitive conscience and a tender heart are the needed adjuncts. In our text the Christian is warned against two entirely different dangers: despise not, despair not. These are two extremes against which it is every necessary to keep a sharp lookout. Just as every truth of Scripture has its balancing counterpart, so has every evil its opposite. On the one hand there is a haughty spirit which laughs at the rod, a stubborn will which refuses to be humbled thereby. On the other hand, there is a fainting which utterly sinks beneath it and gives way to despair. Spurgeon said, "The way of righteousness is a difficult pass between two mountains of error, and the great secret of the Christian life is to wind his way along the narrow valley."

Despising the Rod. There are a number of ways in which Christians may "despise" God's chastenings. We mention four of them:

1. By callousness. To be stoical is the policy of carnal wisdom - "make the best of a bad situation." It is inexpressibly sad when we see a child of God conducting himself as a child of the devil! For a Christian to defy adversities is to "despise" chastisement. Instead of hardening himself to endure stoically, there should be a melting of the heart.

2. By complaining. This is what the Hebrews did in the wilderness; and there are still many murmurers in Israel's camp. Beware, my reader! It goes hard with murmurings! God always chastises twice if we are not humbled by the first! Remind yourself of how much dross there yet is among the gold. View the corruptions of your own heart, and marvel that God has not smitten you twice as severely!

3. By criticisms. How often we question the usefulness of chastisement. When things go as we like them, when some unexpected temporal blessing is bestowed - we have no difficulty in ascribing all to a kind Providence. But when our plans are thwarted, when losses are ours - it is very different.  Like Jacob, we exclaim: "All these things are against me!" What is this but to "despise" the rod? Shall your ignorance challenge God's wisdom? Shall your shortsightedness arraign omniscience?

4. By carelessness. So many fail to mend their ways. There are many who have "despised" the rod, and in consequence they have not profited thereby. Oh, brethren and sisters, take heed! If God be chastening you - "consider your ways" (Hag. 1:5), "ponder the path of your feet" (Prov. 4:26). Be assured that there is some reason for the chastening. Many a Christian would not have been chastised half so severely, had he diligently inquired the cause of it.

II. Fainting under God's chastenings. Having been warned against "despising" the rod, now we are admonished not to give way to despair under it. There are at least three ways in which the Christian may "faint" beneath the Lord's rebukes:

1. When he gives up all exertion. This is done when we sink down in despondency.

2. When he questions his sonship. There are not a few Christians who, when the rod descends upon them, conclude that they are not sons of God after all. They forget that it is written "Many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalm 34:19).

3. When he despairs. Some indulge the fancy that they will never get out of their trouble. One says, "I have prayed and prayed, but the clouds have not lifted!" Then comfort yourself with this reflection: It is always the darkest hour, which precedes the dawn. Despise not! Faint not! May Divine grace preserve both writer and reader from either sinful extreme!

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)