The Dealings of God
God deals with us in many ways in order to teach, train, and develop us. I’d like to touch on three of them.
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Psalm 119:65-72 (KJV)
The first way God deals with us is according to His Word.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
The Word of God is beneficial to teach, correct, and instruct us so God can mature us. The end goal is to equip and prepare us. God’s Word trains us to do right. It deals with us, teaching us right and wrong. It seeks to affect our attitudes, feelings, actions, and behavior. When we need correction, God will use His Word to get us back in line.
God is good and His Word is good. He deals with us through His goodness that we see in His Word, leading us to change our mind or get a right mindset, so we think in line with the Word. His correction is not harsh. God uses His Word to speak to us, train us, and teach us in order to mature us.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
The second way that God deals with us is by His Spirit.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit is our Helper and will teach us all things. He will teach us God’s ways and works. We can learn much in the classroom of the Holy Ghost. He will remind us what the Lord has said so we are able to do the Word. He teaches us based on the Word to show us what is right or wrong for us. He will deal with us, convicting us of wrong, and prompting us to cut things out that are not beneficial. God uses His Spirit operating by His Word to make us more like Christ. The Spirit of Truth guides us into all truth. The Spirit deals with us to keep us on the path God has for us. He will show us things to come and what God has for us.
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Psalm 119:71 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Another way God will deal with us is by using what we go through. Not that God brings trouble, but He will use our difficult times to do a work in us and to cause us to run to Him. God uses trouble and hardship to draw us to His Word and Himself. We can learn lessons by what we go through- gaining knowledge about what not to do in the future. It is better to learn by God’s Word and His Spirit, but if those don’t work, we have to learn by going through things. Some things can be avoided by obedience, but there are times when our obedience actually brings persecution and trouble. Regardless, God can use rough circumstances to teach, grow, and mold us.
and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; Hebrews 12:5 (Amplified Bible, AMP)
The King James Version renders discipline as chastening. Chastening in the Greek means instruction, rebuke, correction, training, education, and guidance. Regardless of the means He uses to get our attention, the dealings of God are always done out of love and for our good. We should receive them willingly, knowing they are beneficial for us.
