When I was extremely young and equally dumb, there was a time when I envied other children who didn’t have parents. It seemed to me that they got to do what I couldn’t do because my parents wouldn’t let me. For example, going to the frozen creek to play in the middle of winter…

It is true my parents treated me differently than they treated other kids. For that, I am thankful. And one of the differences is that while they did nice things to other kids, such as buy them birthday presents and such, they never did it long term. They did it as long as they were my friends. But for me and my brother, they never stopped doing things for us. Even now, when I have kids of my own, they still do things for me and my brother.

That is the difference between how God treats those who are His children and who are not. Everyone benefits from God’s common grace. Things like sunshine, rain, taste buds, sexual pleasures, etc. But only God’s children benefit from God’s special grace. And the difference is that God’s children will get this grace forever.

God said, “Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan…” Jer. 50:18-19.

Babylon and Israel both sinned. Yet, Babylon is destroyed forever, never to be restored. But Israel is restored. God punishes both His children and non-children alike. But He punishes His children in order to bring them back to Himself. But His non-children, He punishes because He is a just God.

If you are facing hardships, God might be treating you like His child. But be sure that you ARE His child… Trust Jesus, the only true Son.

PH