In the school of God the courses are good and they are varied. We do not graduate here. Our God is also our Father who teaches in effective ways of love, tailored to each one of us individually. Sometimes He teaches us by His statements of truth which we cannot experience in any other way. We must accept it just because He has said it. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God" (Heb. 11:3). "He that bath received His testimony bath set to his seal that God is true." John 3:33.
Sometimes He teaches us by examples. We are encouraged to relate ourselves to someone found in the Scriptures, or to some set of circumstances found therein. Here, of course, our Lord Jesus Christ outshines all. He often said, "Follow Me." And the inspired writers encourage us in countless ways to follow Him. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5. "Ye should follow His steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). We are also encouraged to follow those who walked with God-"whose faith follow" (Heb. 13:7).
But sometimes our wise Teacher lets us learn by experience. Either we are too dull to learn by His other methods, or He knows we can be more blessed by this manner. Often it is to teach by contrasts. Such was the case of God's people in 2 Chron. 12:6-8. It is this meditation that forms the title above. "Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know My service" (v. 8). Here they were permitted to experience the rigors imposed upon them by an unloving master so that when delivered they could appreciate better the service of a loving God. God wants us to learn His heart. He is for us!
Soon our "school" days will be over. We shall be glad to have learned the fullness of His loving and patient ways with us. And, as we see in Psalm 150, the backward look will be to His eternal praise.