A GOD THAT HIDES HIMSELF

"Truly, Thou art a God Who hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior" -- Isaiah 45:15

Devotion 21 of  26

CHASTENING AND THE HIDDEN GOD

      The thought of being chastened of the Lord is a dreaded one for the people of God. They do not prefer to be led or taught in this manner. Little wonder Paul admonished believers, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Cor 11:31-32). The knowledge of this should constrain us to judge ourselves critically, and see to it that we give the Lord no cause to chasten us.

      Whatever you may think of chastisement, "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb 12:11). Far better, indeed, to enjoy the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" without having enduring the chastening rod! Chastening, when duly heeded, will yield spiritual fruit. That fruit, however, can be appropriated in other and more preferable ways (Gal 5:22ff; Eph 5:9).

    In chastening, the Lord can hide His face--a foreboding experience for those that know the favor of the Lord. Let us learn from the ancient people Israel to avoid this experience at any and all cost. "Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?" (Deut 31:17). "And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods" (Deut 31:18). "And he said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in
whom is no faith" (Deut 32:20).

    Do not conclude from these expressions that difficulty attests God has forsaken you! Rather, see to it that your life provides the Lord with no reason to forsake you -- or chasten you!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for being faithful to chasten, and gracious in the purpose of the chastening. In the name of Jesus, I want to avoid the need for chastisement, for I know Your presence may not be keenly sensed during such times.

-- Tomorrow: LOOKING FOR GOD --