A Master's Mouldings

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Saturday, October 25, 2008

a long lull since i spoke herein
but life has been in all abundance
allow me though to share within
it has been and is still a deep moment...

***
A Time of Chastening
*Teenster*

Too much carried within my heart to bring to words
Overwhelmingly so, yet I know I'm not unheard
The Spirit's interceding with groans that words can't express
Even as my soul stirs in unfathomable unrest

A Father's promise to His son, and His child
In words so tender, loving and mild:
"My child, because you I love, I will discipline,
As a Father the child whom I delight in."

So in my tears of sorrow may I look up

To Him Who pours overflowing grace into my cup
And I know this is the Shepherd's chastening
In a time of trial and quiet abiding

Oh Lord may I be humbled in Your presence
Come before Your throne in complete reverence
And resist not Your staff and rod which comfort
As You direct my steps in this desert

Teach me Lord to come to You in obedience
Throwing aside all judgement and grievance
To draw near to You Who promises closeness
Whose love and grace comes boundless

A time of chastening Your Beloved children know
A lifetime of lessons to help us spiritually grow
Though it be now a painful, tearful interval
Our Father's loving refining will yield fruits peaceable

So let us be prayerful and earnest in this learning
Father, as You purify and keep our hearts burning
Though the storm blows, our Ark's kept buoyant
As we wait in faith to see Your rainbow of covenant

***

It is a time of awaiting.

Thank you to XG for sharing the article by Spurgeon on Chastisement.
I always wonder at how God has such amazing timings:)

***
Let me share this article from a blogger
God's Purpose For Chastisement
(credits to

http://walkingwithnehemiah.blogspot.com/2008/02/gods-purpose-for-chastisement.html ):

In the days of Nehemiah, the Jews were suffering the consequences of God's chastisement.
Leviticus 26:14-45 explains why God brought this chastisement upon the nation of Israel.

Key phrases in this passage are:
"If you do not obey me . . . I also will do this to you"

*I will set my face against you

*you shall be defeated by your enemies

*you shall flee when no one pursues you

But that's only half of the story.
There is a rainbow in the last section of the passage.

"if they confess their iniquity . . . and accept their guilt"

*Then I will remember my covenant

*I will not cast them away

God punishes the wicked, but he chastens his children.
There's a difference, and the difference is in the purpose and intent of what God is doing.

The Bible says that the whole purpose of chastening is to bring us back to a right relationship with God.
It is not to punish, but to restore.

Hebrews 12:11 says, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness . .

"When we find ourselves in the midst of God's chastening, there is a remedy:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness."
(I John 1:9)

But, more than a remedy, it is a prevention.
I John 1:9 will keep us from chastisement, before it is necessary for God to apply it.
Keep short accounts with God.
***

An old Proverb says thus:
A gem is not polished without rubbing - nor a man perfected without trials." How true this is, for we all need God's chastening.

The Heavenly Father has no spoiled children. He loves them too much to allow that.
~Fred Mitchell

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
(Revelation 3:19)

And finally, a rainbow seen at our home after almost a year's stay on 30 Aug 2008:

His blessings abound:)

teenster-clay*mouldedwithlove*craftedwithcare
10:59 PM 0 comments