This text is one that we sometimes would rather pass right over. It is often misunderstood and misapplied. But it is actually very encouraging because we are reminded of the loving hand of God the Father. These verses, and the ones that follow, deal with the subject of God’s discipline. When we hear the word discipline we equate it with punishment, but this is not what is being dealt with here at all. In fact, for the believer, the Lord Jesus Christ took our punishment upon Himself at the cross. There is nothing left for us but what is spoken of here as the loving discipline of a Father’s heart toward His children.

The word chastening means child training, instruction, or discipline. As a father of four children, I have had to train, instruct, and even discipline my own children. I do not go to the neighbors’ children to discipline them, even though they might have needed it and perhaps I would have liked to. I have the responsibility to train up my own children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Through consistent and loving discipline, my children have learned that I love them. Over the years, this has given them confidence and assurance of my love for them. So it is with the loving hand of our Father in Heaven. We may not enjoy or even appreciate the discipline or training at the moment, but later we come to be very thankful for the way He has worked in our lives. “Whom the Lord loves He chastens.” Do not resist the loving hand of the Father, but be trained by it and be encouraged!

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