"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." Revelation 3:19
There is an eternal purpose back of all that befalls a Christian. The chastening of the Lord may take different forms. Sometimes it is a stern visitation because of our sin; at other times it can be a tender pruning by the nail-scarred Hand especially laid upon us because we are a promising vine. In either case, chastening is a mark of God's divine love and concern for us. In other words, chastening does not necessarily mean that you are the worst sinner in town; rather it may mean that you are the most promising saint; for the Scripture says, "every branch....that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2). Lives that have been the most afflicted are usually the most effective. As the tender hand of the Divine Gardener trims away the excess foliage of earthly joys and contentment, the spiritual nourishment from the vine of God is channeled to the productive buds of the branches. With hindrances, weights, and carnality cut away, we bring forth "more fruit." God's purpose in regard to our suffering, therefore, is to refine in us the gold of holiness. The Divine Sculptor employs His chisel often upon the marble from which He seeks to create a masterpiece.
A Christian mother lay dying. Beside her a loving daughter stood weeping silently. Conscious of the agony that caused the great tears to fall, the mother looked Heavenward and whispered, "Patience, darling; it is only the chiseling." Alas, the Master Sculptor sees many deformities in His children which must be chiseled off before they can find a place of honor in His divine gallery of Heaven. How good to know that the chisel of trial is held in the never erring, skillful hand of God's love.
"Bread For Each Day"
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