“And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever” (1 Kings 11:39). 

In the family of grace there is discipline!

And that discipline is severe enough to make it an evil and a bitter thing to sin.

Solomon, turned aside by his foreign wives,

– had set up other gods and grievously provoked the God of his father.

Therefore, ten parts out of twelve of the kingdom were rent away and set up as a rival state.

This was a sore affliction to the house of David.

And it came upon that dynasty distinctly from the hand of God-

– as the result of unholy conduct.

The LORD will chasten His best beloved servants-

– if they cease from full obedience to His laws.

Perhaps at this very hour such chastening is upon you!

Humbly repent and return unto the Lord!

See the sweet saving statement!

– “but not for ever”!

The punishment of sin will follow!

But the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season!!

The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit…will pass away-

– when they have had their intended effect on the repenting child!

Our present grief is meant to bring us to full repentance-

– that we may not be destroyed with the wicked.

“…we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32).

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).