The Lord disciplines His own, but never forsakes them

SUMMARY: God will never abandon those whom He has saved. He may discipline them, but His love is eternal and His choice is immutable. The Psalm encourages the afflicted that the Lord disciplines His own, but never forsakes them. We can bear the rod of discipline with calm submission because it does not mean anger to us, but love.

Men abandon, but God does not, for His choice is immutable, and His love is eternal. No, God will not even abandon one of them. No one can find a single person whom God has forsaken after being revealed savingly to him.

The Psalm mentions this great truth to encourage the heart of the afflicted. The Lord disciplines His own, but never forsakes them. Our instruction is the result of the double work of the law and the rod, and the fruit of that instruction is a stillness of spirit and a sobriety of mind, from which rest proceeds. The wicked are left alone until the pit is dug into which they will sink and be plunged; but the godly are sent to school to be prepared for their glorious destiny in the afterlife. The judgment will return and finish its work on the rebellious, but it will also return to vindicate the sincere and the godly. For this reason we can bear the rod of discipline with calm submission as it does not mean anger to us, but love.