98 A wise, prudent, and holy Father

A wise, prudent, and holy Father

"What son is not chastened by his father?" Hebrews 12:7

Every believer is a child of God, and every one of God’s children frequently require the rod. God is a wise, prudent, and holy Father, therefore He will correct all the follies of His children, and make them wise unto salvation. God never had a child in His family who did not need the rod—and there never was a child of God who did not feel it. If we were not children, He might allow us to go on and punish us with the world; but because we are His children, He chastens us early.

Let us therefore bear our chastisement with patience—for we deserve it.

Let us humble ourselves under it—that our Father may remove it.

Let us be more anxious for its sanctification—than for its removal.

Let us look upon all our afflictions—as proofs of our Father’s love—as intended to lead us to repentance, and as calling for a reformation of heart and life.

Better be chastened as God’s child now—than be condemned with the world at last.