God is like a loving parent. He will patiently encourage, correct, and chide the child when he does wrong. However, if the child continues to rebel and do wrong, he will spank the child and make him miserable for a time. But this, in order to bring the child back from his error and not to lose him forever to depravity.

I see God dealing this way with the nation Israel in the Old Testament. When Israel is obedient especially in the area of worship, God blesses and encourages the nation. The nation Israel was at her best during King David and Solomon’s era. However, the following kings were not as devoted to God. Slow erosion happens in their worship of God – idolatry, immorality, and later on even human sacrifice takes place. But God is still patient. But when she continues to rebel and worship other gods, He “spanks” her by letting another nation invade and plunder. Only when she repents, He relents and brings her back to health. (2 Kings 14)

God does this with us as a nation, as a family, and as an individual. Although it is true that not all our calamities and disasters are caused by our sin, they might be! God might be trying to get our attention or even be “spanking” us to correct and restore us.

Therefore, before we declare our innocence and question God’s harsh treatment of us, we should first check to see if there is any sin in us. We may not have even realized it was a sin because everyone else seems to be doing it. But we are NOT everyone else. We are the children of God (if we indeed are). God will treat us differently. He won’t spank those who are not His. But He WILL spank His own children. “God disciplines those He loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” Hebrews 12:6

“As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? “Ezekiel 33:11

PH