12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
The Scriptures often ascribe a paternal relationship to the LORD’s dealings with His people. In the text for today’s devotion, the LORD’s corrective measures are depicted as those of a loving father. The idea of God’s paternal correction is evidently taken from Deuteronomy 8:5 – “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.”
Like a father, the LORD corrects us. The Hebrew word for “correcteth” has also been translated in the King James Bible as “reprove”, “rebuke”, “reason”, “chasten”, etc. It refers to verbal corrections, as well as the applying of physical disciplining, like “the rod of correction”. These are the providential interventions of the LORD in our lives to stop us from continuing in our errors and to turn us back to the path of righteousness.
Such “corrections” are the corrections of love. Certainly, corrections can be painful experiences. However, they are necessary actions of His love. They are not meant to repel us from God, but to draw us closer to Him. The LORD’s corrections are marks of His paternal love for us. Every son in whom the LORD delights, He will chastise.
The LORD’s chastisements are not irrational outbursts of an offended and angry heart. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:8-10). He does not take pleasure in afflicting us. In Lamentations 3:33, it is said, “For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” So when the LORD chastises, He does it out of the necessity for correction which His justice and holiness demands. He does so, not as one who takes pleasure in the miseries of men, but as one who yields to a painful necessity. Moreover, though the LORD may severely chastise us, He will not be cruel. When He chastens, He mitigates its severity with tenderness. He will not keep His anger forever against His people. The actual purposes of His chastening are to bring about the fruit of repentance, holiness and blessedness. God has many gracious and blessed purposes when He chastises us. So, like grateful sons, let us yield to His chastening willingly.