“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives’” (Hebrews 12:5-6).
The relationship of love and chastisement can be easily skewed and often is.
Some parents contend that they “love” their children so much that they never apply “the board of education” to their offspring’s “seat of learning”. In this thinking, “love” does not ever chastise, because they are antagonistic to each other.
The God who is love (1 John 4:8) rejects such erroneous thinking. The parental love which unselfishly sacrifices for the best interests of a child knows that there are times when chastening is essential to shaping and improving a child’s character.
When a child of God continues to fail in overcoming a besetting sin, the Father of spirits is not opposed to intervening and helping His offspring in achieving spiritual victory.
When a child of God loses his focus on Jesus, his loving Father is not unwilling to intervene so to aid His child in regaining the singleness of vision he needs for spiritual success.
When a child of God becomes weary and discouraged and needs a boost to end a cancerous self-pity party, Jehovah loves His children enough to help as needed.
Because God is perfect and His children are not, you should never despise the chastening of the Lord or be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
Not only does God want what is best for you, He also knows what it is.
