Notes of Faith May 21, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series in Proverbs
May 4, 2003
“UNDERSTANDING GOD’S CHASTENING”
Proverbs 3:11, 12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves, He reproves (chastens), even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
The word “chasten” in both Hebrew and Greek, means “to train a child.” Thus chastening means “child training.” When we were children our parents chastened or trained us. This training included correction and giving direction. Sometimes it was quite unpleasant especially when it involved physical punishment.
My dad used a belt on me while mother used a broom! There was never a time that I can remember when this part of my training was pleasant or welcome. I really looked at it as unnecessary! As I matured I began to see that this was a very important aspect of my parent’s love. They loved me enough to keep me from going in a wrong direction in whatever way it took. Most of the time it worked!
Even so, the Lord chastens His children. His goal is to train us in His way! I’m glad He called His people sheep and not foxes as sheep need direction, guidance and training while foxes run wild and do their own thing.
Sometimes God the Father uses unpleasant means to train His children and often we despise this correction (despise literally means to “look down our noses at something”). We need to realize that heavenly chastening is an indication of our Father’s love for us.
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him. For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines and He scourges every son whom He receives - Hebrews 12:5b, 6.
We as His sheep have a tendency to go astray in various ways such as allowing the world to woo us back into it’s influence or developing unchristian relationships. How easy it is to drift away from the Word of God (Hebrews 2:1), diminishing our love for Him. God will not allow these things to go unchecked. He will move in with His chastening hand. When this happens let us not resist His chastening but recognize His hand in our lives, being assured that it is an indication of the Father’s great love for us.
Beloved, today, if God’s hand is heavy upon you, search your heart and life to understand what the Father is saying to you, then ask for the grace to make any change necessary. I’ve had to do this with my stroke. I’ve asked, “Father, what do you want me to learn in this ordeal?” I’ve learned a lot about myself as a result of my Father’s chastening hand in my life. God bless.
Serving Him,
Pastor Charles Covington
Ps 27:9
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
Ps 69:16-18
Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good;
According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me,
17 And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in distress; answer me quickly.
18 Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it;
Ps 80:18-19
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.
19 O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.
Prov 1:23
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Prov 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Prov 4:5
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Num 6:24-26
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.'
Too often when we encounter unpleasant circumstances we blame God or believe that He has left us to deal with them all alone. We do not consider “Job, Jonah” or anyone else revealed to us in the Scriptures and how God allowed the uncomfortable, the dangerous, even life-threatening circumstances that He might draw them closer to Himself in love, through discipline, teaching, and warning. May we praise God in the difficult things that we do not understand and trust, waiting for His glory to be revealed in and through the work He is doing in us. May we offer the same peace, joy, and faith to others who are struggling with difficulties and tribulations of life, that they might come to His throne of grace and receive mercy and help in their time of need!
Pastor Dale