Brought Up By God!

Reading through Psalms I was recently struck by an interesting combination of words regarding God and the benefit enjoyed by David. We read. . .

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and YOUR GENTLENESS MADE ME GREAT.” ( Psalm 18:35 ESV)

Generally we might think of greatness coming by means of power. However, here David attributed his greatness to having come by the GENTLENESS OF GOD. I don’t recall having come across such a reference elsewhere in the Scriptures, though it is part of our Lord’s invitation to come to Him. ( Matthew 11:29)

Human life has been described as being like a flower that can only survive if fenced around and shielded from the harsh elements. It is a GENTLE hand that carefully works to cultivate the soil around the plant, removing the weeds, and carefully providing needed water without washing it away. God works similarly in our life to encourage and nurture our growth. It is His skillful word and work that prunes our life (note John 15:1-2) to make it more fruitful and exalts it to become what He desires it to be. The GENTLENESS OF GOD is experienced in His wonderful grace and mercy that are ours in Christ. God is forgiving as He desires all to be drawn toward Him in repentance that they may be saved. ( 2 Peter 3:9) Yes, God can be a “consuming fire” ( Hebrews 12:29), but He does not have to be that way toward us.

This GENTLENESS OF GOD was exemplified in Christ where we read. . .
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that THOUGH HE WAS RICH, yet FOR YOUR SAKE HE BECAME POOR, so THAT YOU by his poverty MIGHT BECOME RICH.” ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV)

Jesus humbly took on flesh ( Philippians 2:7) as He came to earth in order to LIFT US back up to God. In GENTLENESS Jesus tried to connect with the hearts of those who heard His teaching and observed His healing. It is that same GENTLENESS that desires not to force, but rather to lovingly draw mankind toward God and an acceptance of His Will.

Today there are those who glory in referring to themselves as a “self-made man.” As David considered his greatness, he acknowledged himself as having become a “God-made man.” GOD’S GENTLENESS had made David great! May we continue to humble ourselves before God that we also may be exalted ( James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6) by His powerful, but GENTLE loving hand.

Have a great day EXPERIENCING THE EXALTATION OF GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Gentleness