Days of Praise Podcast
Chastening
Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Chasening. Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects, therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty, Job 517. One of the fascinating paradoxes of Scripture and of human life is the oft-repeated principle that true parental love requires appropriate chastening, and chastening rightly received generates blessing and happiness. He that spares his rod hates his son, but he that loves him chastens him promptly. This is effective child psychology, assuming that the chastening is remedial rather than vindictive and is applied in love rather than anger. But the main teaching of such passages goes beyond parental child training methods to the grand theme of God's spiritual training of his children for eternity. This thought is often expressed in the Psalms, but it is especially clear in Proverbs, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction, for whom the Lord loves, he corrects, even as a father, the son in whom he delights. The classic passage on this theme is Hebrews 12 5-11, which begins by quoting the previous verses in Proverbs and eventually concludes as follows. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless, afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. We are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, and it is essential that we be properly trained for our glorious future as kings and priests unto God. We must learn to behave in ways appropriate to our high calling as children of the king, and this requires the divine rod at appropriate times. In his closing words to the last of the seven churches, Christ reminds us again, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore, and repent." If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/donate. Your gift of any amount helps us reach others with biblical truth and encouragement. Thanks for listening. We hope you'll start each day with day's praise.