Word Of Encouragement And Exhortation

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We commence this devotion, praying the prayer which we offered to God, yesterday.

Our Father in heaven, save us all, Your children, who are not coping well with our present chastening. Grant us grace and mercy to acquiesce to You that we may know Your peace, even in the midst of all our trials and troubles. Amen!

Let us now turn to the Word of Scripture, to which we have been led. But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not sons. Hebrews 12: 8.

What a Word! There is encouragement, exhortation, enlightening, and empowerment for every child of God, who is under our heavenly Father’s discipline.

Encouragement

The text has made our heavenly Father’s discipline universal to all His children. As in any family, some children are more prone to disobedience than others. Some are more stubbornly defiant, self-centred, truant and insolent than others. The severity of one’s disobedience, whether in large or small numbers, whether at home or elsewhere and even in terms of the kind of sin, matters not in terms of God’s punishments. The point being made is that all the Lord’s children are disciplined by Him and Him alone, their Father. No child gets away from being disciplined in some form or fashion, as our Father chooses.

Be encouraged, child of God! You are not the only one of His children to be punished. All His children are, at some time or another.

Doesn’t this Word bring peace, to your troubled heart and mind?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Amen!

Exhortation

In verses which precede our text, we are reminded, lest we forget, of this most encompassing, enabling and endearing Word of God. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuke by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12: 5 – 6.

We know that as children of God – His sons and His daughters – we are not illegitimate, through this one, sure evidence. It is the fact that He chastens or punishes those who are His legitimate and loved children. No punishment lasts forever. When you are being punished, although it is most unpleasant, painful and very depressing at times, I entreat you to remember that it is an unarguable and open sign of your heavenly Father’s love for you.

Be exhorted, child of God! You are a dear, precious and jealous possession of God. He is moulding you into the person He delights to make you. Chastening is one way the Father fixes you and fits you back into place.

Doesn’t this Word bring peace, to your disturbed heart and mind?