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