Sin procures correction, and love sends it. Every child is chastened, because every child sins. But though we are corrected for sin, yet not according to the desert of sin.
Our Father chastens us in measure, not in wrath, but in love; not to destroy, but to save us. There is no wrath in His heart, for He has sworn that He will not be wrath with us; yet He will visit our sins with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes. He is reconciled to our persons, but not to our follies; therefore He says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent."
Let us not despise His chastening, nor faint when we are rebuked of Him; for it is the common lot of all His children, and if it drives us to Him, and humbles us at His feet, it is evidently sent in love.
It is a painful blessing; a mercy sent to purify and cleanse us. If we sin and are not chastened, our sonship is questionable; for what son is he whom his father chasteneth not? But if we are chastened, God dealeth with us as with sons; and our sufferings are the fulfilment of His promise.
Though ten thousand ills beset thee, From without, and from within, Jesus saith, He'll ne'er forget thee, But will save from hell and sin: He is faithful To perform His precious word.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
Sin procures correction, and love sends it. Every child is chastened, because every child sins. But though we are corrected for sin, yet not according to the desert of sin.
Our Father chastens us in measure, not in wrath, but in love; not to destroy, but to save us. There is no wrath in His heart, for He has sworn that He will not be wrath with us; yet He will visit our sins with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes. He is reconciled to our persons, but not to our follies; therefore He says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent."
Let us not despise His chastening, nor faint when we are rebuked of Him; for it is the common lot of all His children, and if it drives us to Him, and humbles us at His feet, it is evidently sent in love.
It is a painful blessing; a mercy sent to purify and cleanse us. If we sin and are not chastened, our sonship is questionable; for what son is he whom his father chasteneth not? But if we are chastened, God dealeth with us as with sons; and our sufferings are the fulfilment of His promise.
Though ten thousand ills beset thee, From without, and from within, Jesus saith, He'll ne'er forget thee, But will save from hell and sin: He is faithful To perform His precious word.