Job 5:17. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
And then it Wednesday, our second wind day, and the ole fella is certainly catching his second wind, but on the late, late bus, because I went to the hospital early this morning for some tests, and since I was sedated for them, by the time I got back home I was still a li’l groggy and needed to rest for a while! Now that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
But thankfully though, the tests were all negative! And for that I can only give a big shout of praise and thanks to Almighty God my Creator, Provider and Protector, who has faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake me, and to work all things out for my good eventually. Lets’ hope and pray that this then is the end of the sickly season I’ve been going through for the last few months, because it’s been really challenging and tiring. And again I say, ‘Thank You Lord! I praise and bless your Holy Name for You’ve been so good to me, seeing me through the rough times with grace, mercy and encouragement!’
And for all of God’s goodness friends, I believe we ought to renew our acquaintance with Psalm 103, one of the great praise psalms, where Bruh David blesses the Lord’s Holy Character. So please read these first few verses with me, verses that are ever appropriate to our faith journey. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is restored like the eagle’s.’ (Ps. 103: 1-5)
Oh my people, right there we see the basic benefits of having Jehovah God as our fountain of worship and thus benefits! No other supposed God keeps all of His many promises and looks after His people like the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Now that doesn’t mean He’s a doting grandfather, because in His great LOVE for us, as His children, He will also chasten and chastise us when we do wrong, so He can bring us back to the fold.
Listen to what the scriptures says. First we hear from Job, who writes: ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18) And we know that Cousin Sol, as the wisest man ever, has something to say on every subject. (smile) Listen to him from Proverbs: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary (detest) his correction: for whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12)
Then the author of Hebrews reiterates Cousin Sol’s claims, when he writes: ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6)
Oh, I know we only like the good stuff, the blessings and mercy, but living for God, we should not only expect constant sunshine and roses but also some tough times with tough discipline when we go astray, for the Lord treats us just like our earthly father is supposed to; with LOVE and with discipline. As the scholars explain: ‘God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: “He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).” (Prov. 13:24) LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary aspects of training.’
And yes, some of you don’t hold with that theory, and thus have grown up your children with a soft touch, which is now turning back to haunt you, for they are uncontrollable, and that’s why we have such, rude, unmannerly, selfish irresponsible and obnoxious young individuals, because too many parents spared the rod and thus spoiled the child. But that’s another story for another day, and can be argued till the cows come home, (smile) but it will not change God’s intent, and in the long run, what He thinks is what really matters.
And since we’re on a late, late bus, I think we’ll keep it short and sweet. And I heard all the thankful sighs. (smile) That means we can now go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been also promised that those who endure right to the very end with Jesus, they will indeed enjoy a most spectacular future, more than their human minds can comprehend. So let’s agree to meet there at the very end and enjoy that spectacular future together! Much LOVE!
…God is a just and righteous God…He will not sweep our wrongdoings under the carpet…
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