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It is a shameful thing for a child to talk back (answer or question) a parent. We observe with displeasure the rude behavior of that disrespectful one. This is the reason for the rod of correction that drives rebellion far from that child.
This loving correction never changes. No, not even in the life of a believer. Job knew something of his own wicked heart. He knew that the mercy of God in Christ would alone keep him because the tendency of the carnal heart is always to run away from the hope of glory.
So, if He does not keep us by the rod of chastening mercy, and cause us to fear (reverence) Him, we will answer (question) Him in a disrespectful way.
The believer knows this to be so … but, if by faith He has shown us something of Himself in mercy, “it is not so with me.”
We know that in us, that is in our flesh, dwells no good thing. There is though a new nature that dwells within that loves Him, and seeing His hand of mercy causes us to rejoice in Him that does all things well.
By Marvin Stalnaker
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