Often times there are things that need fixing in our life. God being the creator of all things knows how to fix the things that are wrong in our life. The Psalmist in verse 12 speaks of God fixing things in our life. The Psalmist states, Psalm 94:12 "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest." That verse is telling us that the man is blessed when the Lord fixes the wrong things in his life. Today, we will learn how that a happy person is one who is chastened of the Lord.

     God of mercy, compassionate God, gracious God, long suffering God and abounds in love (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8-12). 

     God of love is also the God of judgement and wrath (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14). God justice is not merely about punishment; God justice involves restoring what is wrong and establishing fairness, as seen in the Mosaic law.  The concept of justice is broader, encompassing not just the punishment of sin but also the restoration of relationships and fairness in all aspects of life. 

     The God who condemned not those who believe Christ as Savior is the same God who condemned those who believed not Christ as their Savior (John 3:18). God knows as a Judge to do fairness.

     Although God is a God of love, He is also a God of vengeance and judgment.

Psalm 94:1 "O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth."

Psalm 94:2 “Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.”     

John 12:48 “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

ILLUSTRATION:

     Former Judge Horace Gray of Boston who would later go on to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court once said to the man who escaped conviction on a technicality: “I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law.” Man’s justice is always subject to errors, but God’s justice is perfect. God is that better and wiser Judge. No sin escapes His gaze, and though punishment is sometimes delayed as God grants room to repent, it is certain. No one escapes God’s justice on a technicality. While we rejoice in God’s love, we must never forget He is the God “to whom vengeance belongeth” (v.1) and also the God who is the “judge of the earth” (v.1).

     Notice in Psalm 94:1-11 we read why the Psalmist struggling with the questions of why do the wicked prosper.

     This Psalmist asking God “Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” (verse 3)

     This Psalmist describes the wickedness of the wicked, by their hard speech, boastfulness, mercilessness, murder, slandered people of God, blasphemed the name of God, have no reverence of God (v.4-7)

     But the Psalmist is reminded that God never ignores the sins of the wicked and never their sin unpunished. God sees and knows everything and knows the thoughts of man and will take vengeance and pour judgement in His own time (v.8-11)

     May we always be reminded that there is a judgment day coming. Christ the Judge (“judge of the earth” – v.1) will judge all sins those who reject the gospel will meet face to face the Lord Jesus the Savior. God is the fair Judge of the earth.

     The Psalmist talks about two chastisements:

Psalm 94:10 “He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?”

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;”

     God who admonishes the pagan through God’s law written on the conscience (though they have not the revealed law), and through the inward thoughts reproving them for sin (Romans 1:20; Romans 2:14), shall not God punish? 

     The Hebrew “yaacar” for "chastiseth" means to admonish (here by the voice of conscience witnessing for God even in the pagan breast), as the parallelism to 'teacheth knowledge' proves. So, the same Hebrew is used in Psalm 94:12, also in Psalms 2:10 "be instructed, ye judges of the earth." From the admonitory influence which God exercises on the consciences of God’s people and the pagan, there follows necessarily the conclusion that God 'sees' and 'punishes' their evil deeds against the godly. Translate, 'shall not He correct or punish?' (verse 10). 

     Three things about the Lord Chastening:

I – GOD’S CHASTENING PROVIDES INSTRUCTION 

     Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;”

The word “chastenest” here is the same word “instruct” used in Deuteronomy 4:36 “Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.” So, the chastening of the Lord is a means whereby God instructs us. Therefore, for Christian the phrase “teachest him out of thy law” has the thought of teaching and instruction.

     Reasons why God gives us instructions or discipline (through teaching of God’s Word):

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”

Hebrews 12:7-8 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Hebrews 12:9 “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

Hebrews 12:10 “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

Hebrews 12:11 “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.”

      If the earthly father had discipline (chastise) their own children, much more God, the heavenly Father chastens those who are genuinely saved, born again who are His children. How? (Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”; Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”). 

     The most famous, great, and distinguished saints were the most afflicted because they undergo God’s training (discipline) and they learned more of God’s instruction. God leads them by a way they know not (Isaiah 42:16 “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” 

     The New Testament writer of Hebrews, alone uses the Greek “education” (“paideia”) means to express discipline of a child by a wise father.

     “Paideuo” includes instruction, discipline, correction, and warning. All are designed to cultivate Christian virtues and drive out evil. In this passage, the chastening was not punishment for wrongdoing, but training through persecution.

     The writer of Hebrews uses two different words about chastening:

Hebrews 12:5, 7-8 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: ⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Hebrews 12:6-7 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

     The word “chastisement” and “chasteneth” are both have the idea of instruction. So, Parents has the purpose of giving instruction when they are disciplining their children.

     Purpose of instruction:

      Those whom God loves He chastens – v. 6

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”

     The word “loveth” or “Loves” (present tense - continually loves) (agapao of noun agape) Agapao is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action, so it is a love that is not an emotion but is an action initiated by a volitional choice.      

      Discipling our children is not a response to our anger but because we love them, so we discipline and teach them to know and do what is right and good for them.

     Sometimes we feel like we killing our children, so we plan to soften the chastisement next time, but if we really love our children and we want the best for them, so disciplining them are motivated by our love for them. He gives us the reason for the previous exhortations (not to regard lightly or to faint). The Christian in every trial should see a proof of the Father's loving care and concern for his highest good. He disciplines us because He loves us!

     There are many things our children learn from us about things in this life, but by exercising disciplining our children, we educate them, we instruct them, we direct them into what is right and what is wrong.

     Whatever the experience, we can be sure that God’s chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart. The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life.

      As a parent we always want the safety of our children from any unexpected harmful and dangerous that would come on their way. We always concern of them, remind them, warn them, instruct them what to do so to avoid any harmful situation that would hurt and destroy their lives. So, as parents we are not only giving them right direction but also, we are giving them protection. 

     As God chastens His children with the purpose of instruction that His children might learn His word and ways, our heavenly Father also teaching us what He desires for our life, and He seeking to protect us from heartaches, and destructive sin in our lives. Since our heavenly Father loves us so much so He discipline us, chastens us that we might learn what is best and right and depart from the wrong away. 

II – GOD’S CHASTENING PRACTICE CORRECTION

     Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;”

The word “chastenest” here is the same word “correct” used in Proverbs 29:17 “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” So, the chastening of the Lord is a means whereby God corrects us. Therefore, the God’s chastening not only instructing us of something right that we are not doing,  and also correcting us of something that is wrong that we are to avoid doing. The author of Hebrews draws upon the Old Testament teachings on discipline, particularly from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."  

A. Corrects Children for repetitious disobedience

     In the context of Hebrews 12:6 (and the surrounding verses of Hebrews 12:4-11), "further disobedience" is viewed as an ongoing, harmful path that God, out of His deep love, actively corrects. Rather than being a sign of rejection, divine discipline is the ultimate proof that you are His child, being trained for holiness. After you tell them not to do certain things, and they agreed with us and assure parents they would stop doing what displease the Lord. But after several period of time, they go back doing what we instruct them not to do. Now, the same true some time with us as child of God. If you face no correction, you are not a true child of God. A loving father corrects his children to safeguard them from wandering into danger and further disobedience. Chastening involves correction! Our heavenly Father doesn’t stop disciplining us even we repeatedly disobeyed.

     The writer of Hebrews is reinforcing this idea and applying it to the Christian life, emphasizing that believers should not grow weary or lose heart in the face of God's discipline.     

B. Corrects Children with rigid discipline

       Notice again in Hebrews 12:6 “scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

      If a child has further or repetitious disobedience, parents should practice firmer or rigid discipline (scourgeth). After repetitious disobedience you have to take more severe steps to discipline the child.

     Notice that God not only chastens (instructs, corrects) His children but also God scourgeth His children.  

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

     The word “scourgeth” means “to flog”. In Greek “mastigoo.” In this context, the use of the word “scourgeth” is figurative and yet it still requires us to ponder the literal meaning and include any suffering which God allows or sends for His children, remembering that whatever God sends or allows is always designed for our edification and maturation and not for our destruction. God’s chastisement includes not only His “whipping” us for specific transgressions but also refers to the entire range of trials and tribulations which God allows which intended to mortify us of our sin and nurture our faith, with the purpose to conform us to the image of His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).

     The word "scourgeth" means to whip or beat, suggesting a more severe form of discipline. The understanding is that God doesn't discipline out of anger or punishment, but out of a desire for growth, righteousness, and holiness in the lives of His people. So, chastening or discipline becomes corrective measure.

ILLUSTRATION: In 1984 in our church at Muntinlupa, and even in 1987 when our missionary Pastor started new pioneered church in Navotas, Metro manila, the wife of our Pastor sits beside her two children during the worship service, when her young boy does something wrong for his stubbornness, our Pastor’s wife brought her youngest boy child outside the congregation and we heard slaps one after another. The boy sat still for a few minutes with tears in his eyes, but it was not long before he was creating noise and doing wrong again. So, his mother grabbed him and do some severe discipline. 

     Likewise, our heavenly Father in heaven deals us by teaching and instructing us with His Word. But if we persist in our sin and fail to heed His instructions and corrections from His holy Words, our God has to take firmer or severe measures of discipline, that is “scourgeth.” Proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

     If you are genuinely born again, child of God and you disobey him, God who knows how to get our attention, He can take severe steps by scourging you to get your attention, if God does not chasten you, it is evidence that you are not His child.

Hebrews 12:8 “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

     All who are genuinely children of God will experience chastening or correction, reflecting God’s loving guidance and care. Those who do not experience such discipline are described as "bastards," meaning they are not recognized as true sons in the spiritual sense. 

     God's chastening is proof that we are indeed His children! In the ministry of Messiah Baptist Church Baesa, many people who professed to be saved, but for some reason they NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY CHASTENING. If they DISOBEYED, they seemed to get away with it. If a professing Christian resisted God's will and did not experience God’s loving chastening, that person would be afraid that he was not saved! All true children of God receive His chastening. All others who claim to be saved, but who escape chastening, are nothing but counterfeits-illegitimate children (bastards).

     The Bible often calls us sheep that are prone to wander away from the flock (Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;”). A sheep’s only chance of survival is with the flock under the care of a competent shepherd. Yet sheep become overconfident, stubborn, rebellious, or distracted, and they wander away. There were many dangers for a sheep that would wander from the flock. There were wild animals that could kill it. There were poisonous snakes that could bite. There were asps’ holes in which he could step and injure itself. Also, Sheep spy greener grass in the other direction or fail to notice when the flock moves away from the protective presence of the shepherd. Peter had this in mind when he warned the church to be on the alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”). A lion does not attack the flock. It waits until a solitary lamb wanders too far from the shepherd. One of Jesus’ most famous parables is about a lamb that strayed so far it became lost. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left the ninety-nine sheep in the fold and went in search of the one lost lamb (Luke 15:2–17).  ILLUSTRATION: Many Christians who are persistent of repeated disobedience, awaken in the hospital who said “As soon as I get out of here I will be back to Church, I will the Lord’s will.” 

     The word “Partakers” in Greek “Metochos” is used 5 times in the book of Hebrews out of 6 - Luke 5:7; Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 12:8. To be participants in chastisement is a clear sign that one is a true child of God, for the Lord disciplines those whom He loves. 

ILLUSTRATION: God is like a gardener, for the gardener does not prune thistles, but does prune grapevines to make them more productive. Similarly, God's discipline is not intended to destroy us but to develop us. 

     When God disciplines us, we should say, "Lord, I am grateful to you, you are telling me that you loved me and proving to me that I am your child and belong to your family and I am genuinely saved.” 

     Chastening not only involved instruction, but it can involve correction and scourging.

III – GOD’S CHASTENING PROVES TO BE PRODUCTIVE

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;”

     The word "chastenest" does not refer to chasten in the sense of punishing. Rather the word “chastenest” here means to instruct; to warn; to admonish; to exhort. So, the word “chastenest” were used in Proverbs 9:7; Job 4:3; Psalm 16:7. The reason here is, that the man is blessed or happy because God so instructs, warns, or teaches and that person understands the principles of the divine act or purposes. That instructed man has a reason for being confident in the midst of trouble and has a reason for having calm mind until God take vengeance and punish his enemies.

     How can chastening produces happiness? 

A. Blessed because it produces Holy life 

Hebrews 12:10 “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

     The word “holiness” in Greek “hagiotes” from “hagios” means holy. A sanctity as a quality of God’s character to be shared by the Christian in his own character.

     Notice the words “partakers of his holiness” it means to be partakers of God’s separation, which is the root idea of holiness, describing that which is separated from the profane things of this world. God knows the godless world are attractive to the children of God but God also knows the world will defile us and even destroys us if we persist in pursuing them. God uses discipline to take us separate from the passing pleasures of the world. God’s discipline benefited us to make us holy. Do you desire to be holy? Are you thankful accepting God’s disciplining hand knowing the benefit is to be partakers or sharing in God’s holiness.

     The ultimate goal of divine correction and scourging is to strip away impurities. As detailed in Hebrews 12:10, God disciplines believers "for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness"

     When a born-again child of God heads for sin or refuses to resist temptation, our Heavenly Father brings chastening into his life to direct him back to holiness. Chastening is God’s way of getting us to follow and honor Him and making us submissive to His Word and will. Again, chastisement is both instructional and correctional. 

A. Blessed because it produces Happy life 

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;”

     The phrase “Happy the man” or “Oh the blessedness of the man” (Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man”).

     I don’t say that we have to shout “I am happy” when we experience whipping.” That is not necessarily the point here, not exaggeration.

Job 5:17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:”

     The happiest people in the world are those who live for God and obey God’s Word

Knowing and learning God’s word and His will through His instruction and correction then do them through God’s chastisement, we will be happy.

     Why is the chastened man so happy? Chastening was God’s instrument of getting the attention of child of God to live for Him and through living in the will of God, they discovered the joy that comes from serving God.

     It is God’ desire for His children to be happy. God wants His children to be a blessed man.