Editor’s Note: I (“SlimJim”) am away in a family trip and this is a pre-scheduled post. It is written by our guest Adam Kristofik who is a brother in Christ that regularly interact with us on our facebook page. Today happens to be the day his wife is induced and giving birth so you might want to pray for his wife and their family.

“Does God send trouble?” Surely, surely, He and He alone. To the sinner in punishment, to his children in chastisement.” – B.B. Warfield
Our first bundle of joy is expected to be arriving on this earth in about two weeks from the current time I am typing this. My wife and I are excited that we will be having a girl. Naturally, being a father of a girl, excitement for me is redefined as being extra cautious. I am enthusiastic about soon approaching the tragedies and triumphs of being a parent.
I pray that I will show my child the goodness of the Gospel as long as I am alive. My life example will not be her saving grace, but that only of Jesus Christ crucified. I am prepared to teach her all of the wonderful things throughout Scripture. With the understanding that I will not be the perfect parent, I hope to show her that our Father in Heaven is.
Speaking of the perfect parent, never in my wildest dreams would I think to send danger anywhere near my child. Sure, I might teach her lessons when she falls short. Although, deliberately placing my child into harm’s way seems terrible. What kind of parent would I be if I were to place spiritual, physical, and/or emotional roadblocks in my little girl’s path of life? Well, let us look at scripture.
We see in Hosea 9 that God placed many dangers in Israel’s way. The LORD dealt with Israel’s insubordinate nature harshly. In hindsight we see that God’s providential hand brought harm their way to punish their sin and renew the relationship that was shattered. God’s people are only ever put through the ringer with the goal to redirect them back to God.
True parental love is best displayed through gruesome chastisement. Being disciplined exposes your joy and exterminates your happiness. This process is painful but reaps great spiritual rewards. Hebrews 12 tells us this. God will put hardships in our life to prune us. Sanctification is an inwardly beautiful process that seems torturous to the carnal mind.
The veil of sin has still obscured our view with the false pretense of human innocence. We set our standards by others around us as opposed to the perfect standard set by Christ. Therefore, our sin does not look as heinous to God as it really is. We should stand firm against the temptation of the heresy of human righteousness.
May the Lord of Hosts continue to not spare His rod, as this is His people’s best assurance of an unfailing love. May we as His people seek the living Christ through the midst of the brutal discipline we will face. May the Lord purge our sin with His sanctified fire. This present pain pales in comparison to the glory that will be revealed.
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