GRIEVOUS, CHASTENING, JOYOUS
Friday – July 13, 2018, Av 1, 5778
Greetings to our partners, friends, and other interested persons looking at this teaching today. It is my prayer that all of us will not just look at these teachings but study them and apply them fully to our lives increasing more and more in knowledge. The knowledge is not for knowledge sake alone but for the sake of being a son and sharing in the divine nature of our Father. Knowledge builds faith. Now let’s dive into our study by first reading our text aloud.
Hebrews 12:11-14 (KJV)
11 Now 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.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
I titled this study today “Grievous, Chastening, Joyous” which are words that would not seem to go together. However, for those of you who have been following along this week you know they go together great and the end of chastening although grievous for a moment will bring joy to both the Father and to us. Remember, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). I am going to summarize what led to this verse in Nehemiah but first let’s take a look at the Bible Numerology. Nehemiah is the sixteenth Book of the Old Testament and sixteen is the number of love, God’s love, God’s unwavering obedience to His own Words. Eight is the number of new beginnings and ten the number of responsibility. God’s expression of love toward us is the Word of God, providing a new beginning for mankind, and represents His responsibility. Our expression of love towards God is to honor His Word which gives us new beginnings but it is our responsibility to acquire the Word, believe it, and act upon it. In Nehemiah chapter eight the people gathered in Jerusalem at the Water Gate (water is a type of the Word of God) for the purpose of learning the Word of God. The people were convicted by the Word of God and wept in repentance. This was very pleasing to God bringing joy to the Lord. When we please the Lord, this brings joy to Him and as a result His strength can flow in and through us for the glory of God. Remember how we please the Lord? By faith!
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is the only way to please God. In the absence of faith there is no way to please God. There are many ways we can please God but it is always faith plus the additional thing. And how do we develop faith?
Romans 10:17 (KJV)
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
What did the people do at the Water Gate that day in Jerusalem? They heard the Word, they believed the Word (developed faith), repented of where they were sinning against the Word thereby pleasing God, bringing joy to the Lord. Now God could bless them. Works just the same for us today. Isn’t this wonderful?
Our text tells us that at the time of our correction it seems grievous but if received and not rejected the benefits are stunning. Look at this Word found in Proverbs.
Proverbs 9:8-11 (KJV)
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
A wise man which is a humble man will receive instruction and be yet wiser, he or she will increase in knowledge. When we increase in the knowledge of God we reap great benefits, just look at 2 Peter 1:2-4 below. Our text in Hebrews tells us not to be depressed or downhearted when correction comes but receive it humbly for it will make our path straight and bring healing.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (KJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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