Lamentations 3:31–33 (ESV) “For the Lord will not cast off forever, 32 but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33 for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.”
The Father would rather we not need discipline. He takes no pleasure in our afflictions. He stands ready to forgive, indeed He only afflicts that we might return and enjoy the abundance of His steadfast love. It is the “abundance” we are prevented from having while we remain in our sin. It isn’t that He does not love us, but that we cannot enjoy the freedom and depth and sweetness and the unfettered love that comes with nothing remaining between us to separate. He does not afflict willingly. He does so only out of love. Not because He has begun to love less.
Thy wounds, are good, and right O Lord
No ill attends Thy dealing
Who with each wound in life afflicts
Yet plots my sick soul’s healing
In faithfulness and charity
Thy kind hand works in blessing
Allowing, crafting, crushing more
Thine Image sorely pressing
A softer will I plead O Lord
‘Tis not Your work which harms me
The cold and hardness of my heart
Is what in pain alarms me
Break me, melt me, mold me fully
Spare not each needed turning
Apply the fire of perfect love
Thy loving, cleansing, burning
Till pliable, and yielded up
And stripped of sin’s resistance
The vessel made emerges wrought
Of Love’s divine persistence
O Faithful Lord and Master mine
Make me to show Thy glory
The work of Christ’s redeeming love
Will be my endless story
Thy wounds, are good, and right O Lord
No ill attends Thy dealing
Who with each wound in life afflicts
Yet plots my sick soul’s healing