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and mercy to help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16), notwithstanding the exaltedness of
their God.
The Spirit teaches us that the Father in heaven is more pleased to see His adopted
children come through the door of prayer into His throne-room than we are pleased to see
our children come through the door into our living room. Willard writes that the Spirit
enlivens the faith of believers, enabling them to Go to God as a Father, and claim this
relation, and upon the claim, believingly to plead with him for the acceptance of their
persons, the audience of their Prayers, the granting of their requests, and supplying of all
their wants (Rom. 8:15).
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Our Father corrects and chastens us for our sanctification. He chasteneth and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth (Heb. 12:6). All chastisements involves discipline that
comes from our Father`s hand and works together for our best welfare (2 Sam. 7:14; Ps.
89:32-33; Rom. 8:28, 36-37; 2 Cor. 12:7). Our sufferings are for our education and
instruction in his family, writes Owen;
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or, as Willard puts it, All our afflictions are
helps toward heaven. They contribute to the increase of their eternal glory: every
reproach and injury doth but add weight to their Crown.
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We foolishly think that God
chastens us to destroy us, but 1 Corinthians 11:32 teaches us, We are chastened of the
Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
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God`s chastenings are badges of our sonship and of the Father`s love (Heb. 12:3-
11). They are meant only for believers in this life. Owen says, There is no chastisement
in heaven, nor in hell. Not in heaven, because there is no sin; not in hell, because there is
no amendment.
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Our Father comforts us with His love and pity, and moves us to rejoice in intimate
communion with Him and His Son (Rom. 5:5). He does that in several ways, as Willard
notes: He applies the precious promises to their souls, he gives them cordials of comfort,
communicates unto them the sips and foretasts of glory, [and] fills them with inward
joyes and refreshings.
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The Father commends and encourages us even for the smallest
act of obedience.
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He comforts us in accord with the afflictions He has measured out for
us.
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