Then we despise them and doubt the wisdom of God:
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” (Hebrews 12:5)

On the other hand, we tend to grow weary in trials and collapse under their weight. But that reveals a lack of trust in God's love.

May the faithful Lord help us not to doubt either His wisdom or His love in His ways with us! His actions are for our benefit, for our eternal profit:
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

God Spares

The third comparison of God with a man and his son occurs in the last book of the Old Testament. The days of Malachi were evil days, days of apostasy in Israel. And yet, even in this day, there was a faithful remnant—those who feared the Lord and spoke often one to another in the pursuit of His interests. The Lord took note and “heard” it. And a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and respect His name.
“And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of
hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:17)

God would have to bring judgment upon the apostate nation. But this remnant that served Him He would preserve on the day of judgment, sparing them as a man spares his son who serves him. With what prudence and care will a man hold his hand over his son in days of extreme danger to life and limb! Notice carefully: it’s about his son “that serveth him”!

Now that is the way God will deal with the believers in the day that He will make.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Malachi 4:1-2)

If the Old Testament concludes with Christ as the Sun of Righteousness, the New Testament ends with reference to Christ as the Morning Star. And isn't it moving that the idea of sparing can also be found in the last book of the Bible? To the faithful remnant in the midst of an increasingly weak and compromised Christendom, the Lord Jesus calls out:

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)