Prayer: O Lord, Chasten Me
Many of us would likely hesitate to pray this prayer:
Jeremiah 10:23-24
O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
O Lord, *CHASTEN ME…
[*In Hebrew, the word “chasten” is “yasar” [h3256]. “Yasar” is a strong word that literally means to chastise with “blows” and to reprimand by spanking. Jeremiah’s use of this Hebrew word reveals his sincerity.]
[Important Note: In God’s Word, chastisement is never considered as payment for sin. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Only the Blood of Jesus can wash away sin and redeem us. Chastisement is only for bringing correction, never for redemption. King David was forgiven his sin but had to endure years of chastisement (see 2 Sam 12:13).]
Imagine a child telling this to his parents. Imagine just how delighted his parents would be with a child that sincere about being obedient:
“Daddy and Mommy, please spank me when I do something wrong.”
Our inherited Adamic nature is to run, hide, and avoid chastisement by whatever means possible. However, Proverbs warns:
Proverbs 29:1
He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Jeremiah points out an important truth revealed throughout the Scriptures:
…the way of man is not in himself.
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
In the New Testament, Paul agrees with Jeremiah. He describes himself:
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Knowing this, we all probably ask God for guidance. However, it is a far more sincere prayer to request that God’s loving hand chastise us when we go astray. We need the “staff” of God’s guidance but also the “rod” of His chastisement (Psalm 23:4).
David takes sincerity to an even higher level when he permits God to use other people to do the spanking:
Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous strike me;
It shall be a kindness.
And let him rebuke me;
It shall be as excellent oil;
Let my head not refuse it.
This agrees with God’s covenant with David and his sons:
2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men…
May God help us understand the value of this prayer:
O Lord, chasten me…
Dear Lord God,
I am Your child, and You are my loving Father. I stand in awe of You, beholding “what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).
Your Word, O Father, reveals that I desperately need not only Your “staff” of guidance, but also Your “rod” of chastisement.
Thank You, Jesus, for purchasing my full pardon on the Cross. Then, after Your resurrection, ascension, and glorification to the right hand of the Father, You received the Promise of the Father and poured out the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-29; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-6; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:33; Acts 2:38-39).
Thank You, Jesus, for baptizing me in the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth Who leads me “into all truth,” revealing more and more of Your beauty to me (John 16:14-14), writing Your Word upon heart and mind (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:10), causing me to walk in Your statutes to do them (Eze 36:26-27), and working in me “both to will and to do of [Your] good pleasure” (Phi 2:13).
Yet, dear Lord, even with all this wonderful provision, it’s evident to me how often I need Your loving hand’s chastisement – and I sincerely ask You for it:
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O Lord, chasten me…
Father, Your Word teaches us not to despise Your hand nor to get discouraged when You chasten us, for chastisement is proof of Your love (Heb 12:5-9; Prov 3:11-12; Prov 13:24). You promise that when we receive Your chastening and are “trained by it,” we will be “partakers of [Your] holiness,” yielding “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb 12:10-11).
So yes, my Father, I choose to receive and be trained by Your loving hand of chastisement.
Lord Jesus, You told the church:
Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Thank You for loving me! I ask for grace and a tender heart to be zealous and quick to repent, whether it be Your hand directly or whether you use the “rod of men” as You promised in Your covenant with David (2 Sam 7:14).
Your Word also says:
Psalm 94:12-13 (ESV)
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord…
to give him rest…
Proverbs 1:23
Turn at My rebuke;
Surely I will pour out My Spirit on you;
I will make my Words known to you.
I believe and claim these promises that after I receive Your chastening:
- I am blessed and will receive “rest.”
- The Holy Spirit – the “excellent oil”– will be poured upon my head.
- Your Words will be made known (revealed) to me.
Father, I excitedly agree with David:
Psalm 23:4
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me!
Hallelujah!
Thank You, Father!
Thank You, Holy Spirit!
Thank You, Jesus, for all You have done, are doing, and will do in my life to prepare me for Your soon return when You rapture up Your Bride into glory.
Psalm 73:23-24
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
In Your precious Name. Amen.
