When the believer is smarting under the rod let him not say, God is now punishing me for my sins. That can never be. That is most dishonoring to the blood of Christ. God is correcting thee in love, not smiting in wrath. Nor should the Christian regard the chastening of the Lord as a sort of necessary evil to which he must bow as submissively as possible. No, it proceeds from God’s goodness and faithfulness, and is one of the greatest blessings for which we have to thank Him. Chastisement evidences our Divine son-ship: the father of a family does not concern himself with those on the outside: but those within he guides and disciplines to make them conform to his will. Chastisement is designed for our good, to promote our highest interests. Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!
— A.W. Pink (1886–1952), Theologe
Related Bible passage: HEB.12.6
Topics: Suffering & the Question of God, Growth & Character, Faith & Trust
Occasions: Comfort, Encouragement
A.W. Pink
Arthur Walkington Pink (1886–1952) war ein englischer Pastor und theologischer Autor, der nach Stationen in den USA, Australien und England zuletzt weitgehend zurückgezogen in Schottland wirkte. Er vertrat eine kompromisslose reformierte Theologie, die die absolute Souveränität Gottes sowie persönliche Heiligung betonte und ihn zu Lebzeiten in kirchliche Isolation führte. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Schriften gründliche, streng am Text orientierte Auslegungen, die nach seinem Tod maßgeblich zur Wiederbelebung puritanisch-reformierten Denkens beitrugen.
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
C.S. Lewis
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become.
Henri Nouwen
He has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.
Joni Eareckson Tada
Etty Hillesum
God writes straight even on crooked lines.
Paul Claudel
God lets us walk no path that he himself has not walked, and on which he does not go ahead of us.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer