Introductory Thoughts
God designed and intended for biblical chastening to have righteousness as its intended outcome. Recipients of chastening may find the process grievous, but “afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” The process may not be at all enjoyable or peaceable, yet the Bible affirms that the outcome is peace. A careful look at the word chasten provides this insight. The root word for chasten is the word chaste. The end goal for those being chastened is that they would become chaste. Chastening is intended to be a purification process that corrects the wrongs for which it was initially implemented. It always leaves the recipient that endures the chastening a stronger and purer person than before the process began.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): God wants us to have the right desires (Proverbs 11:23). This is done through knowing and obeying His word (Psalm 119:138; Psalm 19:8, 11). When we sin, God wants our hearts to get right with Him. This is accomplished through chastening (Psalm 119:67, 71).
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(For everyone): Have you ever experienced the chastening of the Lord for a particular sin? What was the outcome of the chastening? Did you end up closer to God as an end result?
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Do you think that anyone considers the process of chastening to be enjoyable? Would you consider the end result to be worth any troubles faced by the process?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you a deeper understanding of chastening.
- Ask God to help you see His desired outcome of chastening.
Song
AFFLICTIONS, THOUGH THEY SEEM SEVERE
