And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shall sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:but my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 2 Samuel 7:12-15.

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 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?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 12:5-10.

Who can bring a clean thing out of the unclean? Job 14:4. None, except God through his divine program of discipline, training, and chastening as part of the redemptive package in Christ Jesus designed for the elects to attain into the full realization of the acknowledgement of the truth and lifestyles which is after or according to godliness. Titus 1:1. Note: there will never be any spoilt brat or spoiled child in the kingdom of God as long as Christ continue to walk in the midst of the seven candlesticks, not only to watch over and to build his church; but to inspect – check over individual’s and general conducts of his saints for verbal praise or correction, giving warnings or instructions: to expose and rebuke sin: renewing old and making new promises: issuing threats, straightening and encouraging the faithful while he chastises the heart of the unstable through cautious warnings, apart from those God has given up on them to reprobates minds (Romans 1:28), whose conscience is sealed with hot iron, and their heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, rebuffing correction by the word of God, likewise despising the rod of reproof sent to keep them humbled in godly sorrow to produce the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto those that are exercised thereby. Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

Physician heal yourself – men called to lead, to take care of, and to take the overseer of the flock of God should be men of self- discipline if they are to be faithful and steadfast in the word and in their ways and conducts in conformity to the word if they expect effectiveness in the exercise of ministerial authority to reprove, rebuke, and to exhort with all longsuffering, doctrine and authority. 2 Timothy 4:2. Titus 2:15. If there is no self- discipline from the altar and in the life of the minister of the gospel, how can he speak the truth in love? If he cannot rule and discipline his own house, how can he rule and discipline the church? How can he speak the things which consist of sound doctrine? How will he not be found guilty of spiritual incompetency and unworthiness to lead by his wrong influence on others as the result of his personal lack of discipline? The diligent and discipline leader in the word of God will go a- long way to help his listeners, observers and followers, more also, God will establish and confirm his word and authority (and Moses said, hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. Numbers 16:28-29) before others. Isaiah 44:26.

Though, the doctrine and practice of church spiritual and moral discipline is waning rapidly for the promotion of false doctrine of liberty, the misinterpretation and false application of ‘judge not, and you shall not be judged’ reminder among the brethren, the truth is that the house of God is not a place to do n’importe quoi – anything or to live anyhow. True liberty in Christ Jesus is not a license to indulge and live unchecked as if your life is up to you alone in any of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:13), for we are called to serve one another in love which demands dialogue of an open rebuke which is better than secret love (Proverbs 27:5), for true love rejoices not in sin, but in truth – brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20.

The fear of a self- condemned believer going away from the church or losing his friendship or favor because of rebuke and correction (mockers resent correction, so they resent the wise. Proverbs 15:12) should be put aside (correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die. Proverbs 15:10), lest God chastised us for the sin we deliberately overlook to rebuke – turn a blind eye for whatever reason – my brethren have not the faith our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of person. James 2:1.

If we delight ourselves with the strong meat of the word of God (Hebrews 5:13-14), to live and to walk in the ways of the Lord, having the discerning knowledge of what is good and evil concerning the will of God in what is acceptable and perfect, to cleave to the good, but to abhor that which is evil, shall we not receive the approbation of heaven as beloved children? But if we err from the truth or are drifting away from the will and purposes of God, he will redirect our circumstance and situation in order to order our steps back in his word by calling for trouble (Job 34:29) like the mighty tempest sent against prophet Jonas to redirect him back to Nineveh (Jonas 1:4): though the tempest can be very rough, if we are not hardened against him (Job 9:4), but fear and tremble before him for repentance, he will give us grace to weather the storm, and he who sent the wind shall rebuke the wind sent to rebuke us, and there will be light awaiting us at the end of the tunnel – rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Micah 7: 8-9.

Ignorance of the word and the will of God is no excuse to escape his chastening and stripe (Luke 12:47): feed yourself continually on the strong meat of the word of God, not on milk, lest by your unwillingness and inability to endure sound doctrine in those things concerning the righteous judgments and holiness of God (thus says the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, we will not hearken. Jeremiah 6:16-17) should think that you can ‘get off scot-free – exemption or immunity from punishment in your failure to increase and to grow in divine knowledge so that you may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear, the Father, who without respect of any person, judges everyone according to their works.

There are not so many instances of an instant divine reaction and correction for sin from the scriptures such as God killed Uzzah in the act for his error to touch the ark, trying to prevent it from falling. He also slew Ananias on the spot and his wife on the same day for their deception before him in the church. Note: what is not our call should not be our duty, and what God by occasion determined to bring down or halt, none should seek to keep it up or move, what he has determined to increase, none should seek to decrease it lest they should fall under the rod. 2 Samuel 6:7. Acts.5:3-4.

Generally speaking, if we commit sin, God does not instantly act against us, rather, he send warnings through different ways and messengers to call us to repentance for a change (Revelation 2:21) of heart because you probably have ignored the voice of his Holy Spirit within you convincing you of sin, righteousness and of judgment before he visit reckon and to set things straight before you. Numbers 14:20-23.

Does God forgive sins? Yes, there is no God like him who pardons sin. Micah 7:18. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, for there is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared. Psalms 130:4. Note: those who will not presently arm themselves with the mind of Christ to suffer the flesh, that they may exercise themselves in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7) so that they should ceased from sin (1 Peter 4:1), should be ready to accommodate and willing to adapt themselves under the rod sent to drive out the foolishness or folly of sin in them – now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11.

All unrighteousness is sin, but the transgression by which others are made to go astray from the will and purposes of God (now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.1 Sam 2:22. 1 Kings 12:29-30) is heinous with disciplinary measure and such consequence to make the hearing ears to tingle – heartbreak. 1 Sam. 3:11. Go to Shiloh and see what God did there because of the sins of Eli’s two sons – the priests that made the worshippers to commit sexual and other sins as well. Jer.7:11-12.

Does God discipline and take vengeance for sin once confessed, forgiven and forsaken? It is written that he that confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy (Prov. 28:13) because mercy triumphs over judgment, meaning that the full measure or worth of such sin for chastisement shall not fully be measured out to the offender for correction – for I am with thee, says the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. Jeremiah 30:11.

If you ignore or try to cover your sin like Adam (Job 31:33), you make things worse before God, but if you humbly confess and indeed sorry for your sin as David, who, after his adultery with Bathsheba, acknowledged and confessed before God, this will certainly lessen the full wrath of God’s chastisement for present disciplinary correction against possible damnation of your soul- and David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, the Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shall not die. 2 Samuel 12:13.

We ought to know better that at a certain stage of our walk and life in Christ (1 Cor.13:11), every good or bad move or behavior comes with consequence (s), so we need to take more earnest heed to the things which we heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Sometimes, the Lord chastises sin with such painful rebukes and scourging having a certain degree of impact on the people in our life such as the experience of David’s chastening and scourging for his sin of adultery and for the murder he committed against Uriah after he took advantage to sleep with his wife, so that he lost the fruit of his sin – the child. In addition, God lay or put a curse of restless war on his generation after him – war shall not depart from your house, while Absalom his son committed incense with his father’s wives in the sight of all Israel. All these woes came upon David and his household because he committed adultery with his neighbor’s wife. 2 Samuel 12:11.

B. King David, by observing and witnessing the tremendous impact of the chastening for his sin – pride to census or to number Israel, cried unto God to spare the people and to deal with him uniquely for his sin – and David spoke unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house. 2 Samuel 24:17.

C. King Solomon’s heart departed from God who appeared twice unto him, but the full out-pouring of chastisement for his sin was postponed to his son’s time and reign as God made Rehoboam the scapegoat, and from him was the kingdom rent or divided into twelve and ten was given to Solomon’s servant – Jeroboam, the son of Nebat because of Solomon’s sin. 1 Kings 11:9-12.

D. We see another example of King Ahab’s chastening, that though he humbled himself to accept divine verdict, God partially chastised him by not pouring out the full measure of his indignation upon Ahab alone – and the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, sees thou how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house. 1 Kings 21:18-29.

E. And today, are mankind (believers and unbelievers alike) not under the burden of the hot displeasure of the first chastisement ever exercised by God to correct the mortals because of Adam’s sin, sentence him to sweat for bread before he eat, then go back to the dust to die as man (when thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Psalms 39:11): indeed, one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:18. Note: whatever honor given to the word of God is the honor given to God himself – the word was God. If we take the word of God for granted, God will take us for nothing – lightly esteemed and get us chastised for despising the word which himself magnified above his name. Amos 2:4. 1 Samuel 2:30.

Can any be spared from the rod of God’s displeasure against sin if they should return from sin before the cup of iniquity is filled up? Genesis18:20-21. The answer is yes as we see the people of Nineveh spared from the rod of him that chastises the heathen (Psalms 94:10) because they hearkened to the voice of God from prophet Jonas through national chastening of their souls in three days fast for national repentance. Jonas 3:10.

The second answer to the question is not any as it seems right before the righteous judge of the whole earth that all that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, should reap the same. Job 4:8. Note: the fountain of the blood of the everlasting covenant is opened for cleansing from all filthiness and uncleanness to wash and make increasingly whiter than snow: if by stubbornness of heart, we continue to build again that which has been destroyed (Galatians 2:18), and to resuscitate the old man which has been crucified with Christ, so that the body of sin should be destroyed (Romans 6:6), by so doing, we tramples on God’s Son and treats as common the blood of the covenant by which we are sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace. Shall not God presently send rod of reprove to chastise for correction, if he will not reject such a person forever? Hebrews 10:26-29.

You should have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Eph. 5:11), but what about those that are guilty of accomplice to sin while they play politics, camaraderie or conjugality with sin? You just need to learn from the chastening of Sapphire (Acts.5:9), the wife of Ananias for colluding with her husband to deceive the church as she died untimely by the hand of God – be not partaker of other men’s sin, keep thyself pure to follow after humility, love, godliness, holiness, righteousness and faith with them which call on the Lord out of pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:22. Was not the prophet Eli punished alongside his generation after him removed perpetually from the priesthood for the sin he knew was going on in the temple but did nothing to rebuke it openly to save others, to stop it, and to separate or openly differentiate himself from the temple criminals – his two sons?

In your striving against sin (but not to the point to split or gush out blood from the bodynot in any way in comparison to Christ after he had prayed, the sweat were as the drop of blood falling to the ground before he actually shed his blood for our sin on the cross. Luke 22:24 Heb.12:4), God will – with your cooperation lead you to the place and process of spiritual brokenness where you should be crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to you lest you be condemned for the sin of worldliness as you lovingly and willingly come out of the world to bear his reproach in sanctification unto him who has once, in order to sanctify you, suffered without the gate. Hebrews 13:12-13.  

If we confess our sin, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness; yet, if we continue – repeatedly in the same sin without readiness to deal with our weakness in the place of prayer and fasting for grace to increase in obedience and to break the yoke, there is a danger looming and lurking (but God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses. Psalms 68:21) around or over us because his eyes are purer than to behold iniquity with no choice than to send the rod to correct for disciplinary measure (know therefore that God exact of thee less than your iniquity deserves. Job 11:6b): for the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalms 103:8-10. Ezra 9:13.

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14:4. God continue with his supernatural work of pruning, purifying and purging operation in every weak or strong saint to prepare and make them fit for heaven (but if you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:8) so that they may be presented blameless and faultless before him at his throne (Jude 1:25), by breaking any rigid part (s) in them into pieces, and by fixing or replacing any broken or missing part (s) so as to make them whole in Christ Jesus, that they might be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Heb. 3:1. 2 Peter 3:14.

As chastened, not killed. 2 Cor.6: 9. The faithful saints undergo training (s) for personal spiritual developments until Christ is formed in them through those experiences which works patience that they may be entirely perfect, not lacking anything. Though, their experiences may appear like chastisement (my soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.I will say unto God, do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contends with me. Job 10: 1-2), but it is not chastening – God is not angry with those who are in his will – though the upright also are compassed with infirmities (Hebrews 5:1-2), but their trainings are meant to develop strong spiritual muscles in them, while the chastening or rod of reprove sent to those who have sinned (Dan.11:33-35) is to produce or to bring forth the same end result – be made perfect and complete in all the will of God, so that all should be made partakers in the holiness of God in preparation and admission for heaven.

God’s training is different from his chastening. Like the sin committed –false accusation by the friends of Job who condemned him for an unknown and unproven sin, likewise are so many wicked- hearted believers insinuation or imputation of sin (because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. Psalms 55:3) to condemn someone going through formation or trail (behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: lest ye should say, we have found out wisdom: God thrust him down, not man. Job 32:11-13) coming from evil heart and of the false notion that troubles in general should be as the result of sin – remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the righteous cut off? Job 4:7.

In any dark times in your life, you can always ask God questions of what you don’t understand or know (my soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contends with me. Job 10:1-2), but you shouldn’t argue or reply back against him (Job 4:17): but be sure of this truth that those who endure their divine training with all those who likewise endure their divine chastening shall all be partakers of the holiness of God to inherit life.

The difference between divine training and chastening is that God’s training prepares us for future exploits, while his chastening corrects us against the past and present sins to return (but the people have not return to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty. Isaiah 9:13) back to God through repentance, prayer and reformation. Let us not mix-up God’s training, though rigorous to the flesh, but grace facilitate all things, such as the manna rained down each day from heaven to feed the Israelis in the wilderness for the extended period of forty years to train or teach them that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3): besides, God’s decision to walk them through the wilderness itself was with the intent to train them on how to trust, rest and depend on him to the end (Exodus 13:17): the ability and grace to be content gained through experience by Apostle Paul – I have learned on how to enjoy plenty and to suffer need – I can do all things through him that strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13): the endurance and persistent training of a genuine request of an unanswered importune prayer (s) of a widow woman designed to build up faith and patience in God’s elects (Luke 18:8): of David’s training and self disciplinary daily midnight prayer and study life – I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches that I might meditate in thy word. Psalms 119:147-148. Note: If by the expression of our deepest love with longing and thirstiness of our soul to know him more are we not driven to seek him early, even for an hour anything as from midnight, the archer of our soul, whose expertise is to sow evil seed while men slept (spiritual negligence and laziness in prayer), will stir us up to seek him early that we may keep him at – bay. David’s experience of a young shepherd boy from his father’s house designed to prepare him to meet, confront and conquer the Goliath of his destiny for his day of manifestation to the people of Israel: Moses forty years at Midian as a shepherd while awaiting his commission to confront Pharaoh and to lead the Israelis out of Egypt. But God’s chastening such as the plagued sent on the Israelis for making golden calf in the wilderness (Exodus 32:35), or the leprosy sent upon Miriam for speaking against Moses with Aaron (Numbers12:10), or the destroying angel sent to destroy the murmured Israelis in the wilderness are for our learning, correction and for others to learn from as examples. 1 Cor.10:10-11.

We should be afraid of our eternal state with God if we are not going through chastening and correction whereof all live through who shall be counted worthy of heaven, being partakers of his holiness, without which no man shall see him. Ezekiel 20:37-38. The sinners – believers in Zion (Isaiah 33:14) receives chastening for correction in order to make them wise and upright in the way of righteousness, if they will accept it with gratitude, joy and in submission to the Father of spirits (surely it is good to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: that which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Should it be according to thy mind? He will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou know. Job 34:31-33), and will not despised spiritual or divine disciplinary measures by the stubbornness of heart lest they die or perish – he, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1. Hebrews 12:9.

He who withholds the rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him chastises him betimes (Prov.13:24): thus, the chastening of God is designed to manifest his love for us: (a) to keep or bring us back into his will and holiness, and to draw us nearer in our walk and communion with him – it was good for me to be afflicted – chastised and humbled, that I may learn your righteous judgment. Psalms 119:71: (b) to bring out the best in us by refinement from spiritual foolishness of sin (Psalms 65:9) through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (behold, happy is the man whom God correct: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he makes sore, and binds up: he wounds, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shall thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and famine thou shall laugh: neither shall thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shall be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shall know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shall visit thy habitation, and shall not sin. Thou shall know also that thy seed shall be great, and your offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shall come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good. Job 5:17-27) to deliver from self, deliverance from sin, deliverance from Satan and deliverance from the world if we submit under the rod (1 Pet. 5-6) sent for a season, having massive and enormous lasting blessings for us at the end – the assurances of fulfillments of every present and future promises of God. Note: those who will not received correction by taking heed to the word preached unto them, to frame their ways, and their doings by it (2 Tim.3:16), and to be in awe – broken by the hammer of the word of God and be purified by its fire, washed by the washing of water by the word, will undoubtedly receives the grievous chastening of his rod sent by love to correct their ways and their doings back to his ways, works and word – and if they be bound in fetters, and be holding in cords of affliction; then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. Job 36:8-12.

Proverbs 29 verses 19 – a servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understands he will not answer. God will scatter every high place you are not willing to demolish, or you are reluctant to pull down in order to bring into captivity every thought in you unto the obedient of Christ, that you may be partaker of his holiness. He will turn your carnal wisdom into foolishness, weaken your self- perceived strength in the way (Psalms 102:23) that you may rejoice or take pleasure in your weakness, so that his power may rest upon you – he will disappoint and turn down every self-appointment or engagement outside his will, by sending his rod to mar, shatter and to break every pride and every outward confidence (s) of ungodly reliance’s and associations into pieces for his sole glory and holiness in your life. He will bring his judgment to light every morning (Zephaniah 3:1-7) by chastening of the heart through his word (blessed is the man whom thou chastises, O Lord, and teaches him out of thy law; that thou may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Psalms 94:12-15) before the rod of adverse circumstance (s) with different method (s) of chastening are sent to correct and to straighten, if you will not listen to the voice of his word to receive counsel and instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. Proverbs.19:20.

Now that you are in Christ Jesus with the knowledge and acceptance of God’s love for you, the eternal love and wisdom will send you affliction (and lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Cor.12:7) according to his righteous judgment to accomplish his counsel and eternal purposes in you: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies, for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High, to subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approves not.

Our present troubles or sufferings in the way of duty and obedience to the Lord are different from the troubles or sufferings that may come on anyone as the result of sins – the former should be counted all joy for the glory that awaits us in heaven. Romans 8:18. The affliction of the righteous is not the same as the affliction of sin, the former is from the enemy of our soul (Psalms 34:19) but the latter is from God on his rebellious children – I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turns his hand against me all the day. My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. Lamentation 3:1-4.

It is more likely that the righteous fall sick (Philippians 2:25-27) for whatever reason apart from sin, unlike some who are said to be sick in the church as the result of their sin. James 5:14-16.  Satan can also attack to afflict a believer who has gone out of the way of righteousness – for in righteousness thou shall be established (he that break the edge – wall, the serpent shall bite him. Ecclesiastes 10:8) with sickness, while God can also send painful affliction to chastise any of his children, including sickness, if they will not obeys him. Exodus 15:26.

We must endure hardness – difficulties as a good soldier of Christ: though we may be in the will of God, yet trouble comes because persecution and afflictions – troubles shall arise because of the word of God. Mark 4:17. Those are the oppositions or hindrances from Satan against those who have the word of God and are keeping the testimony of Christ. It is the affliction of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8), but God’s abiding presence and power will save and deliver his elects from all evil – though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. Psalms 138:7. Psalms 34:19.

God met the requirement of our salvation in Christ Jesus, but he will meet our reformation through chastening if we will not give all diligence to walk in the newness of life – and if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. Leviticus 26:27-28.

Sometimes, God chastened us to spare them from untimely and second death (art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Habakkuk 1:12) as we see from the example of king’s David’s life after his sin with Bath-Sheba and the murdered of her husband – the Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over unto death – for Nathan also say unto him, thou shall not die, the Lord has taken away your sin. Psalms 118:18.

Sometimes, God judges sin in his children to chastise them even unto premature death lest they should be condemned with the world. Was not Aaron and Moses chastened with premature death for their sin at the water of strife? This was judiciously done to prevent the accuser of the brethren – Satan from having any legal ground of argument to contend against or to lay any claim on the dead body of Moses for the sin he was actually disadvantage over from entering Canaan land, and not fulfilling his ministry to the end, being chastised, judged, slain and buried by God for. Numbers 27:12-27. Note: like Samson as a fool to the correction of the stocks lost the presence of God (Judges 16:20), if we don’t seek to break away from the cords of iniquity (Isaiah 5:18), God will also break the cord of his presence and power between us and him to afflict and to humble us (Job 30:11), so that our sin would make as if he hid his face from us, though he opens our ears to disciplines. Is sin not a reproach to any people? Are his eyes not purer than to behold iniquity, yet he loves us with everlasting love – chastening of love, lest we should be left to our own devises to perish with the world.

Though Christ died for our sins and by his stripes we were healed according to the scriptures, but God will afflict and chasten anyone with sickness to the extent of taking them away prematurely by physical or untimely death who consciously, by presumption dare to eat the body of Christ and drink his blood in unrighteousness: wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep – died. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 1 Cor.11:27-32.