WISDOM FROM GOD – “WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CORRECTETH”

Everyone has the capacity to love people. Everyone of us do love people. When one truly loves another person with all their heart, they will also step forward to correct the person, whenever they are wrong. This is love – it takes the responsibility of correction also. This is seen no where as clearly as in a family situation.
– “A father who truly loves his children will correct them appropriately. For a father to leave sins and failings uncorrected is not a sign of love; it is a sign of indifference and the selfish disregard that often accompanies indifference.” – David Guzik

The Bible addressing this matter, speaks to us clearly through Proverbs 3:11-12. 
– “11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” – Proverbs 3:11-12

For our study this morning, let us look at Proverbs 3:12 and see what it can teach us.
– “12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” – Proverbs 3:12
Proverbs 3:12 speaks unequivocally about the heart of the LORD for His people. Love of the LORD Jesus is unparalleled and unconditional. This doesn’t mean God’s love simply wants to pamper us. God truly loves us, and therefore, correction is part of such love.
– God’s chastening/correction is for our good.
– God’s chastening/correction is out of love for us.
– God’s chastening/correction is out of concern for us.
– God’s chastening/correction is out of His desire for our welfare and our wellbeing.
– God’s chastening/correction will hurt us.
– God’s chastening/correction will never harm us.
– “Sometimes He chastens because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing. No matter how much the experience hurts us, it will never harm us, because God always chastens in love.” – Warren Wiersbe

Here under are a few more thoughts from those who have walked a lot closer with the LORD, and for a longer period of time.
– “The Lord’s discipline is like that in a family, not in a school, let alone in a prison. The Lord corrects his children and does not treat them as criminals.” – Charles Bridges
– ‘I love the rod of my heavenly Father. How gentle are the stripes I feel. How heavy those I deserve.’” – John William Fletcher

Let us also read from the Bible, what else the LORD our God has written down for our benefit on this subject.
– “6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” – Hebrews 12:6
– “5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.” – Deuteronomy 8:5
– “17 Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18 For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.” – Job 5:17-18
– “7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:7-11
– “14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him…” – 2 Samuel 7:14-15a

Dear brothers and sisters let us know that, the chastening or the correction of the LORD is good, and it is always out of deep concern for our wellbeing. God’s correction is to protect us from harm and danger. Because God loves us, He will surely think of our welfare and our wellbeing. Therefore, let us learn to yield ourselves to our LORD. Let us seek His help, grace and mercy, to live for Him an obedient and faithful life. Even so, the LORD help us.