Oct. 19
REGULATED CHASTISEMENT
"I will correct thee in measure" Jer. 30:11
To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign: it would prove that
the Lord had said, "He is given unto idols, let him alone." God grant
that such may never be our portion! Uninterrupted prosperity is a
thing to cause fear and trembling. As many as God tenderly loves He
rebukes and chastens: those for whom He has no esteem He allows to
fatten themselves without fear, like bullocks for the slaughter. It is
in love that our heavenly Father uses the rod upon His children.
Yet see, the correction is "in measure": He gives us love without
measure, but chastisement "in measure." As under the old law no
Israelite could receive more than the "forty stripes save one, which
ensured careful counting and limited suffering, so is it with each
afflicted member of the household of faith--every stroke is counted.
It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of
love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to
rebel against appointments so divine. Lord, if thou standest by to
measure the bitter drops into my cup, it is for me cheerfully to take
that cup from thy hand, and drink according to thy directions, saying
"Thy will be done."