From the Word:  A blessed chastening (from Psalm 94)
”Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord, and whom You teach out of Your law, that You may grant him relief from the days of adversity, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.”(Psalm 94:12-14 NASB)

Yes! As in Hebrews 12:5 – the son is disciplined, not the stranger.  The children have the privilege of being chastened because they are the children!  I spank my own kids, not the neighbor’s.  Because I am chosen by You, therefore I will be punished, for my own good and for the good of Your people (Amos 3:2).  Thank You, Lord, that You want the best for Your people, and that You expect the best from us. 

What are the implications of this for me, Lord?  As I deal with my current demands and difficulties, let me keep trusting You.  I must recognize that either they are a chastening from You that is in fact a blessing, so that I may learn from Your law, or that it is simply life as I must live it, as everyone else does.  I think that much of what happens is simply the demands of life that must be experienced by me, so that I might understand the rigors and difficulties that every other normal person faces.  How else will I be equipped to identify with and come alongside anyone else who is dealing with the circumstances of life here and now?  And in the midst of it, I can be thankful, I can serve You with gladness, I can see that there is hope in these things, and I can number my days to present to You a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).  Amen.

Please pray with us this week:
I looked up in the sky early last night and saw the near alignment of Jupiter, Venus, and the fingernail moon.  God is still in control, and I need regular reminders of that.  The alignment should be visible for the next few days.  If you have a chance and the weather cooperates, take a moment to look up into the western sky, near the horizon, and consider the greatness of God.  “The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NASB)  Praise God with me and thank Him for His sovereign control over not only world events, but the universe!