Thoughts for another day

Oct. 8, 2009

Today's verse: Job 5:17,18. 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. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

May I begin with a question? Are you seriously devoted to God, if you are then you do want all His blessings right? I’m sure you’ve answered a ‘yes’ to that. Now another question…Would you also like to be corrected by God?

There are many of us Christians, who like to be called, devoted to God. We praise Him, adore Him, honor Him and even proclaim Him. We like to tell people of all the good things He has done in our lives and we also tell people that God will do good in their lives too. We ask many to live on the promises of God and that no harm or evil will ever come our way. ‘Brother, they tell me, just live on the promises of God and God will do all good things for you.’

The above is fine and we should live on God’s promises. Yet there’s one more thing we need be prepared to do: To suffer for His sake. In this world we’re contaminated by the dirt that prevails and we need to be cleansed and so God corrects us. At times the correction process is painful. He puts a lot of suffering our way and it seems unbearable. We wonder why God is doing this to us and our whole being cries out to Him, why Lord, why? Yet remember it’s best to understand God’s ways. He makes things go wrong but corrects them; He wounds but also makes whole. God puts us in the fire but then He makes us a wholesome vessel, to be kept in a honorable position in His mansion.

My friend, the Bible says, do not disdain the correction of the Lord for in it and through it, God refines us to be ready for His work, for His mission. And when He finds us up to the mark, He sends us with confidence and we do His work and bring glory to His Name.