God’s Chastening, Our Benefit

Devotion for Wednesday July 25, 2017

Topic: God’s Chastening, Our Benefit

Text: Job 5:17 – Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

The Greek word ‘paidedeia’ was translated chastening meaning disciplinary correction. There are blessings in God’s chastening us. This sentence looks paradoxical but that is the truth some may not accept but there are benefits from God’s chastening. God turns His heart towards us when He corrects us but His heart turns from the wicked when He punishes them. His corrections are not sent to take away our comforts but to take away our corruptions. Again, corrections are not manifestations of wrath, but an evidence of His love. If God reproves a person and same responds rightly, then God will deliver that individual from all adversity and trouble. The chastening of God is a sign that we are God’s children and an assurance of God’s love and concern for us (Hebrews 12:6 – 8). Our happiness as Christians does not consist in our outward comforts; in riches, in health, in honour, in civil liberty or human relationship. Rather, our happiness consists in our relationship with God and in union with Jesus Christ. God chastises us so that we might not be finally condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32) and that we might share His Holiness, living sanctified lives without which we will never see the Lord (Hebrews 12:10 – 11, 14). How do you respond to God’s chastening?

Food for Thought: Absolute trust in God sustains us in trials and in due time, it secures certain, full and eternal deliverance.

Memory verse: Hebrews 12:6 - For whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the grace to look out for the benefits in chastening me and not minding its pain, discomfort and inconveniences.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS: Devotion for Thursday May 5, 2016

FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS: Devotion for Thursday May 5, 2016

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 11     Memory verse: v 7  

On Monday, we learnt that all we have are gifts from God and should be used for the benefit of others and to the glory of God. We shouldn’t pride ourselves on what was given to us. Among those gifts are spiritual talents (12:1) as Paul mentioned here. Paul states that the Spirit manifesting in us diverse gifts is meant to benefit all (12:7). All Christian gifts and graces come from the Holy Spirit. He bestows different measures of grace and means of influence upon different individuals, but always for the wisest reasons: for God to be glorified at the manifestation of the gifts. Paul admonished us to use them well (Rom. 12:6 – 8). Anything that is short of this is not of God.  

What are the spiritual and physical gifts God has bestowed on you? How do you use them? A young priest told me how a lady came to their church for prayers. He called on one of the senior priests to join him in praying for the young lady. The senior priest asked if the lady is a member of the Church which he answered on the negative but wishes to start attending their church. The senior priest said he will not join because the lady is a prayer collector and not a member of their church. The young priest prayed for her and she left. She is presently a member of that church. If the young priest had told the lady what transpired, will that lady ever want to hear the priest or receive his prayers in that church? We should not discriminate with our spiritual gifts. Freely we received; freely we should give in whatever we have, be it spiritual or physical.

Food for Thought: How many people are benefiting from the gifts of God upon you?

Prayer: May I use my gifts, O Lord, for the benefit of all without discrimination in Jesus name.