November 17
God
Never Forsakes
"For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he
forsake his inheritance." (Psalm 94:14)
No, nor will He cast even so much as one of them. Man has his castoffs, but God has none;
for His choice is unchangeable, and His love is everlasting. None can find out a single
person whom God has forsaken after having revealed Himself savingly to him.
This grand truth is mentioned in the psalm to cheer the heart of the afflicted. The Lord
chastens His own; but He never forsakes them. The result of the double work of the law and
the rod is our instruction, and the fruit of that instruction is a quieting of spirit, a
sobriety of mind, out of which comes rest. The ungodly are let alone till the pit is
digged into which they will fall and be taken; but the godly are sent to school to be
prepared for their glorious destiny hereafter. Judgment will return and finish its work
upon the rebels, but it will equally return to vindicate the sincere and godly. Hence we
may bear the rod of chastisement with calm submission; it means not anger, but love.
God may chasten and correct,
But He never can neglect;
May in faithfulness reprove,
But He ne'er can cease to love.
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