"For Whom the Lord Loveth He Disciples" # 6

The Discipline of Fear:

2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:12-18; Isaiah 43:1, 2, 3

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, of timidity; but of power and love and discipline... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear... Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.

The Discipline of Surrendering and of Pain in Spirit, Soul] and Body:

1 Peter 4:12, 13, 19; 5:10, 11

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy ... Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator ... But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

The Discipline of not Understanding:

Job 1:38; Psalm 105:14-19; Psalm 22; Daniel 12:8-13

He suffered no man to do them wrong: Yea, He reproved kings for their sakes; saying, "Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm." Moreover He called for a famine upon the land: He brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron; until the time that His word came: The Word of the Lord tried and tested him. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 7 - (The Discipline of the Unexplainable)