“The LORD has chastened me severely,but he has not given me over to death” (Psalm 118:18)
December 18, 2020
Chastening is to correct by punishment as it is written in the bible, “I will chasten him with the rod of men.” It is also to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender; as, to chasten a son with a rod; and it is stated, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” (2 Samuel 7:14, Revelation 3:19)
Minister Matthew Henry in his biblical commentaries said, “The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; rather, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.”
The words of Prophet David “The LORD has chastened me severely,” inscribes the extent of the Lord smitten of him, leading to his mourning to know the full weight of his rod. Prophet David has envisioned The Lord frequently, for his safety from hardship. Though, as the prophet said, “But he has not given me over to death,” he was protected from death. (Psalm 118:18)
Prophet David was hated by Jews and Romans for he did no harm to any; those people surrounding were his persecutors chasing after and the devil seeking his failure. Rather, the Lord himself chastened him sorely and put him to grief that by his stripes we might be healed.
“Men thrust at him for his destruction; God chastened him for his instruction. They thrust at him with the malice of enemies; God chastened him with the love and tenderness of a Father. Perhaps he refers to the same trouble which God, the author of it, designed for his profit, that by it he might partake of holiness. Saint Paul have said, “For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” added Minister Matthew. (Hebrew 12:10-11)
God chastise thriving Saints for they would be humble and tender amongst others, enabling them abide. The Minister further notifies, “What men intend for the greatest mischief God intends for the greatest good and it is easy to say whose counsel shall stand. God will sanctify the trouble to his people, as it is his chastening, and secure the good he designs; and he will guard them against the trouble, as it is the enemies’ thrusting and secure them from the evil they design, and then we need not fear.”
In the story of Job, we notice the devil tormenting him for commanded by God HIMSELF while his enemy might have thought he was failing him. Though the Israelites continually disobeyed HIS commands, “but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it,” he was tolerated and warned them through prophets. But when they dug in their heels and embraced idols or evil practices, God brought chastening upon them in the form of plagues or enemy attacks. “Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he has said: because you have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.” God’s limit of mercy is upon those righteous for his affliction. (Numbers 14:21-23, Jeremiah 40:3)
Righteous people are “chastened, but not killed”; their pains are for their instruction, not for their destruction. By these things the ungodly die, but gracious Hezekiah says, “By these things men live and in all these things is the life of my spirit.” (Isaiah 38:16)
However, for one reason or another, a person may break the law without obedience. The admonition given to the Prophet David is as good as received today; but how many of us understand? It is our recent memory of how devastating the assorted problems befallen on our country and our Church which commenced a year ago. We were especially anxious during the first season of the epidemic; Even though it was our desire to attend Holy Church and the Gospel, be sanctified and offer sacrifices. We were very sad for we did not have the opportunity to be relieved of our anxiety. But the opportunity was presented; only few might have been grateful.
To make matters worse, we are hearing on social media that another pandemic has broken out in India this season. If we do not recognize one rebuke, do not learn and are not disciplined, we will be in facing the same menace. If we look back, we can observe God has warned us in many disciplines.
To be saved from perdition by wisdom, counseling and responding to the rebuke of awakening from our laziness and turning from the transgression of the law; May the Mercy of Our Savior Lord Jesus Christ and the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary be with us; Amen.
Source: Biblical Commentaries