THE CORRECTIVE JUDGMENTS OF GOD
0 Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing (lest Thou diminish me)." [Jeremiah 10:24].
The Hebrew word for âcorrectâ is âyasar,â and has also been translated as- TO INSTRUCT, TO CHASTEN, BE TAUGHT, BE REFORMED, etc. While the Greek word is âpaideuoâ and includes the thought of CHILD-TRAINING, involving the whole process of discipline which girds us up to the right way.
The admonition for spiritual growth is always before us, âGROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.â [2 Peter 3:18]. To grow in grace requires that we pass through all of those processes whereby the works of the flesh are stripped off, and we cease to follow our own self-centered will, and become conformed to HIS WILL. Thus we see God often has to use corrective measures to bring us to the place where it is âno more I, but Christ liveth in me.â [Galatians 2:20].
Jeremiah realized this need for development, and He also realized that âthe way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.â [Jeremiah 10 :23], and so he made his request, âCORRECT ME, BUT WITH JUDGMENT.â What a prayer! âLord, gird me up, bring me into aright standing with Thee, instruct me in the way that I should go, USING YOUR BLESSED JUDGMENTS to accomplish the purpose. Not with anger, that would surely diminish me, but if You use Your judgments, it shall work good in me.â Ah, what a revelation concerning the judgments of our God.
Man has long viewed Godâs judgments as a vindictive action prompted by a motive for revenge and supported by a tumultuous wrath that must be pacified. NOT SO! Such is a gross caricature of our God! His mercy and grace are super-abundant, and though He finds it necessary to chasten, His wisdom and righteousness produce a just and pure chastisement conditioned to correct the situation, and thus bring forth a creature improved by the process.
ALL OF GODâS JUDGMENTS ARE CORRECTIVE IN NATURE, motivated by His love, and used to work out a divine purpose, into our good, and His praise!
Proverbs 3:11-12
One of the things that needs to be considered is that to speak of the chastening and correction of the Lord does not necessarily mean receiving a whipping. Remember, the main goal in view is that of vital INSTRUCTION, that we might learn to walk in the way that is pleasing to the Lord. God is not in the process of continually spanking His children just for the sake of spanking them. God uses these various methods of discipline TO TEACH US, INSTRUCT US, that we might grow up into spiritual maturity, conformed to His will, being partakers of His divine nature. It is a constant demonstration of His love, to know that He is vitally concerned with us, that He would give us this individual attention, and shapen our lives to His own image.
Despise notâŚ" this word âdespiseâ comes from the Hebrew word âmaasâ meaning, to loathe, despise, reject. How often have men rejected the instruction of the Lord, and found to their sorrow that they should have hearkened to Him.
Jeremiah has often been called âthe weeping prophetâ because of the tears which he shed for his people. What sorrow of heart he must have felt because of their rebellious condition, and how often the word of the Lord came to him, âIn vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction.â [Jeremiah 2:30]. âThey have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.â [Jeremiah 5:3]. âThis is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.â [Jeremiah 7:28]. What an indictment!
Matthew 11:29-30
Thereâs no rest in thy confusion,
Good and evil, gold and dross,
But the twain for thee are parted,
Separated at the cross.
In the blessed girding up of our Lord, though it requires a stripping of things the self-life holds dear, in due time we shall discover we have but lost the weight of earthly burdens, and they are no loss at allâwe are simply freed to enter into a higher realm, into HIS rest and peace.
Not only do the judgments of God bring rest unto our own soul, but there is another side to this, when we read, âCorrect thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.â [Proverbs 29:17]. There is no doubt that we all have experienced seeing those children who torment and pester their parents, causing them much grief with their rebellion and self will. Finally when the parent has endured all he can take, or at least realizes that this has gone on long enough, he steps in with discipline, and all is quieted. The child learns a lesson; and the parent has rest. -Ray Prinzing-
