O Lord!

Psalm 6:1
O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Most people have some sort of mental image of God that portrays him as some big overgrown type of meanie, waiting to snub us out at the slightest wrong step we make. I am so thankful that is not reality. I am so happy that God is a loving Father. He is more concerned about us than we are of ourselves.

The writer in very few words speaks volumes to us if only we would hear.

Rebuke me not in thine anger,

The word rebuke is a special word. I believe it is a word of degrees. The dictionary defines it like this: to criticize sharply - reprimand; To turn back or keep down - Check. The writer is seeking a less intense form of reprimand, he asks for a check of his totality. No one wants to receive the punishment they deserve. We all prefer the mercy and not judgment! and we sure don't want God's anger

Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Again the thought continues, we know how bad we are! We understand the disgrace we are to the name of the living Savior! Knowing just what we deserve, and how we would punish for the offense, we seek a special exemption. I would rather have a mild correction than a old fashioned trip to the woodshed.

I was in Wal Mart the other day, I watched a young mother gently rebuke her wayward child who was wandering off. She gently tugged his arm to correct his steps. The little fellow was good for a second or two. The next time he received a little more intense correction, Mother tugged his arm and spoke to him, she told him what would happen if he did not get with the program. Little fellow was not having a good day, he messed up once again. Mother was good to her word, this time she punished him and through many tears he got the lesson. What I saw was through this episode was Mother still showed her great love for junior.

God can rebuke and chasten His children while showing His perfect love.