Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Proverbs 3:11-12
King Solomon wrote these words for his son and they apply to all men and women who have professed faith in Jesus.
Solomon speaks with Holy Spirit wisdom (Godly Wisdom). He tells us that when we walk with the Lord, we are subject to being rebuked and chastened because we are sinners who have been forgiven. But, because of our nature we will sin again, and the Lord has taken it upon Himself to cleanse us, and in doing so, we will be rebuked and chastened.
Jesus will use the staff and rod, as the Shepherd does, on us His sheep in His Pasture. He does not want us to go astray again and He stands ready to gently call and prod us back into the fold - when we stray away from the safety of the fold into what we think is greener pasture, but what He knows to be full of danger - cunning wolves, venomous snakes, fire-breathing dragons, evil demons, devious witches, roaring lions and deceitful humans.
When He prods and pokes us we shoud learn His Ways so that we understand that He is for us and not against us. He is looking out for our best interest; our wholeness in every aspect of our mind, body, soul and life.
He is the One we are seeking. He is the One we are needing.
And He is the One we deny. We harden our hearts towards Him to our own detriment.
He loves us!
The Book of Hebrews tells us that...If we endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not (disciplines)? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons. Futhermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and LIVE. For they verily for a few days (of our lives) chasteneth us for their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His Holiness. Hebrews 13:7-10
Think on these words, they explain a lot of what we go through in life. It is the Father's Love that allows the trials, because His Son, Jesus has paid the price and is standing guard over us with His Mighty Angels and Holy Spirit to rebuke the enemy when we give Him full obedience. The Father trusts the Son implicitly as He is God - Himself.
He will go before us as our Mighty Warrior. Don't try to do it of your own volition. Take the back seat and enjoy the ride. Praise Him and thank Him for forgiveness that allows you to rest in His Care and Love.