June 29

Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice—not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing. — Jer 10:24 BSB

“Fury is not in me,” says the Lord. There is no wrath in God’s heart toward His people. They are forever “accepted in the Beloved” and stand before Him without spot or wrinkle. But there is displeasure against their sins, and this displeasure is something their kind and gracious Father makes them feel. He withdraws the light of His countenance and sends sharp reproofs into their conscience. Yet even these “judgments” help them (Psalm 119:175), for they lead to deep self-examination. As the Holy Spirit applies these reproofs, He also grants repentance. This godly sorrow leads to salvation and is never regretted (2 Cor. 7:10).

If our afflictions, crosses, losses, family troubles, church difficulties, and especially the rebukes of God in our conscience have humbled our proud hearts, brought us to confession and godly sorrow for our sins, separated us more effectively from the world and its ways, stirred up prayer and supplication in our hearts, revealed portions of Scripture that were once hidden, led us to the footstool of mercy, deepened our understanding of salvation, and made mercy more precious and grace more sweet, then these trials have been neither unprofitable nor untimely.