PSALM CHAPTER 38
* * * MAINTAINING HAPPINES * * *

---

When trouble comes, is it chastening ?
And, what can I do about it ?

1. ACCEPTING THE TRUTH THAT SOME TROUBLES ARE SENT
BY THE LORD.   V. 1.
   A. REQUIRES AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR TENDENCY TO SIN.
        PS. 58:3, IS. 53:6
   B. REQUIRES AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY GOD WOULD BRING
        TROUBLES OUR WAY. COUPLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD,
        IT REVEALS OUR ERRORS. 2 TIM. 3:16. (FOR CORRECTION)
   C. FAILURE TO RECEIVE IT RESULTS IN FURTHER JUDGEMENT.
        JEREMIAH 5:3, THE NATURAL RESULTS OF THIS FAILURE:
        PROV. 15:10

2. PLEADING FOR GRACE, NOT JUSTICE.   
   A. NOT IN GOD'S WRATH. EX.-DEUT. 29:23, REV. 6:17, 16:19
   B. NOT IN HIS HEATED DISPLEASURE. PS. 2:1-5,
        MOSES KNEW: DEUT. 9:19, EX. 4:24.
   C. DISPLEASURE IS OPPOSITE OF PLEASING GOD.
        >FAILURE TO BREAK FREE FROM THE WORLD. 2 TIM. 2:4
        >FAILURE TO EXERCISE FAITH IN HIM. HEB. 11:6

3. THE DEGREE OT LOVING AND GODLY CHASTENING.
   A. NOT TO DEATH. PROV. 23:13
   B. LOVINGLY APPLIED TO CHILDREN OF GOD. HEB. 12:7
   C. TENDS TO BE WEARISOME IF WE JUST CONTINUE TO ACCEPT
        IT WITHOUT REPENTING AND DON'T RESPOND QUICKLY
        ENOUGH. PROVERBS 3:11

4. REASONS FOR GOD WITHOLDING OR REDUCING CHASTENING.    V. 2.
   A. JUDGING ONE'S SELF. 1 COR. 11:31.
   B. ENDURING CHASTENING. HEB. 12:7
   C. GROWING IN GRACE. 2 PET. 3:18. DOES GROWING IN GRACE
        INVOLVE KNOWING HOW TO RECEIVE IT ?

5. GOD'S PURPOSE FOR CHASTENING:   
   A. BRING THE SINNER TO TRULY REPENT. PS. 119:67
   B. AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS. 1 COR. 10:6, 11, 2 PET. 2:6,         HEB. 4:11, JUDE 1:7

6. CHASTENING'S STEPS TO SUCCESS.   
   A. THE SIN.
   B. THE DENIAL.
   C. THE CHASTENING.
   D. THE PAIN. (WHAT I FEEL).
   E. THE REALIZATIONS. (WHAT OTHERS FELT, OR FEEL).
   F. THE SORROW. (A GODLY TYPE). 2 COR. 7:10. (NOT ENOUGH
        TO GET THINGS RIGHT: MATT. 27:4 - JUDAS)
   G. THE DECISION TO TURN FROM THE SIN (REPENTANCE)
        REV. 2:5, RE. 3:19.
   H. THE RESTORATION ACTIVITY. LUKE 19:8, LUKE 17:3.
   I. THE PEACE, RENEWED FELLOWSHIP, & RENEWED SERVICE
        PS. 51:12

7. THE UNEXPECTED ASPECTS OF CHASTENING.
   A. THEY CAN COME THROUGH ANY MEANS.
        —DAVID'S ENEMIES. 1 CHRON. 21:12,
        —THROUGH SICKNESSES, PESTILENCE, POVERTY, ETC.
               1 COR. 11:30
        —THROUGH BLESSINGS. ISRAEL GIVEN MUCH MORE FOWL
               THAN THEY WANTED. NUMBERS 11:20
        —THROUGH A DELAY OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROMISED
               BLESSINGS. EXEKIEL 20:15
   B. THEY CAN COME AND GO WITHOUT PROFIT, IT WE LET THEM.
        MUST STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD. MATT. 11:29
   C. TEHY ARE EASIER TO FORGET THAN WE IMAGINE. JER. 18:15

8. THE NATURAL RESPONSES TO CHASTENING.
   A. REFUSE TO ACCEPT THEM. 2 TIM. 4:3
        —RUN FROM THEM ? HIDE FROM THEM ?
   B. RESIST THEM. LIFE GETS HARDER. PROV. 21:25
        TWO CHOICES IF RESISTING JUDGEMENT:
        —NOT SAVED. ACTS. 7:51
        —SAVED, BUT IN REBELLION. HEB. 12:15
   C. FAINT UNDER THEM. V. 4, 17. "HALT"=LIMP. HEB. 12:5
        THE DUTY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO HELP THOSE WHO
             HAVE GONE THROUGH CHASTENING. 2 COR. 2:7
                  BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR RENEWED SENSITIVITIES.
                    HEB. 12:14. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SENSITIVE
                    ENOUGH TO HELP WITH THE GOSPEL. PHIL. 4:3
                  HELP THOSE WHO DON'T SEEM TO BE CLINGING TO
                    GRACE. HEB. 12:12-13, EZEK. 3:4 (HIS SENSITIVITY
                    MADE HIM RECOGNIZE THE HOLINESS OF GOD.)
   D. BE BLESSED BY THEM. HEB. 12:11, PROV. 3:11.         —SHOULD MAKE US ASHAMED THAT WE DIDN'T LEARN THE
             LESSON ANOTHER WAY. DEUT. 8:5.         —REST FROM DAYS OF ADVERSITY. PS. 94:10-13.
             **A LOT OF CONFLICTS CAN BE AVOIDED !