Chastisement
To quarrel with the instruments God used for our correction is to quarrel with God Himself. It is, in fact, to say to Him, “I do not approve of Thy government, and I could order matters better if they were left to me.” What is this but to aim at casting down God from His throne, and setting ourselves thereon?
Though the Lord often spares reproof, He never spares commendation. He is slow to anger; He makes haste to be gracious. (Neh. 9:17.)
Jacob underwent discipline and chastisement for upwards of fifty years, for the withering in him the evil root of the spirit of unbelieving contrivance. God blesses His child, and in His very love withholds not the rod of correction.
The pain that God’s discipline gives us shows its wisdom: it is the diseased part that feels under the surgeon’s hand.
God never puts us to shame before the world, or even before the church, unless we compel Him.
The Lord always deals with us according to the state of our souls.
How small the knowledge of God that Job would have attained to, but for the deep and marvellous discipline whereby he was sifted and taught!
When we deal with God in prayer about the difficulties of our path, we must not set Him a time for clearing away those difficulties, but wait upon Him, who accepts the sacrifice of our willing hearts.
The Lord’s jewels need grinding, and cutting, and polishing. Why forget?