Job 5:17-18
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole."
Job was well aware of the chastening of the LORD. Here He comforts us that it's for our correction, not for our destruction. Chastening is teaching, meant for our enlightenment, "Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the Light of the Living." (Job 33:29-30)
Chastening brings the children of God back from the pit of self-righteousness to learn of Christ, "The LORD hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death...I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes...O LORD, I beseech Thee, send now Prosperity. Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed You." (Psalm 118:18-26)
So how did Christ "become" our salvation? By His coming to this earth, in the flesh, fulfilling all the law and dying a righteous death, in our place, as our Substitute.
When we stray from the Truth (not 'if' but 'when'), thinking ourselves righteous in any way, the LORD will bring trials and afflictions. He may take away what we believe is needful but only Christ is needful and He will never be taken away, "...One Thing is needful:...that Good Part, which shall not be taken away." (Luke 10:42)
"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." (Hebrews 12:11) God's chastening yields the Fruit of Righteousness, Spiritual Prosperity, the Light of the Living, Christ Jesus our LORD, our Salvation Who made us whole!
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