Monday | 19 October 2026
When a Christian is ignorant of, or forgets, the reason why we are chastened by the Lord, they can grow weary and discouraged when they experience sufferings in the course of their Christian pilgrimage. Heb 12:5. However, the Holy Spirit wants us to know the love of the Father and to embrace this aspect of our fellowship in Christ’s sufferings.
Of course, chastening is painful. However, when a believer endures chastening by faith, and by the capacity of the sevenfold Spirit of the Lord, they bear the fruit of sonship, which is righteousness. As Paul observed, ‘Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.’ Heb 12:11.
The sufferings that belong to chastening can be a time of weeping that endures as though ‘through the night’. ‘The night’ symbolises our connection to Christ’s death and burial. However, joy comes ‘in the morning’. Psa 30:5. ‘The morning’ symbolises the light of resurrection life. The joy that comes in the morning belongs to what is made new, which has been brought forth in our life and understanding.
The word of Christ’s messengers, which is a light to our path, reminds us that chastening and fruitfulness are to be a daily and lifelong reality for us. We note, in this regard, the words of Isaiah, who declared, ‘The watchman [messenger] said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!” ’ Isa 21:12. As we have just considered, ‘the night’ speaks of our fellowship in Christ’s death and burial. ‘The morning’ is the light of a new day in which we walk by resurrection life.
As disciples, we are awakened each morning by the Spirit to hear the word of Christ as He teaches us our obedience as a son of the Father. Isa 50:4. We understand that walking in the light of this word, with Christ, is our fellowship in His death, burial and resurrection.
Further Study:
Psalm 30
References:
Heb 12:5
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.’
Heb 12:11
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Psa 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Isa 21:12
The watchman said, ‘The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!’
Isa 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.