Gentleness that makes great

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Ps. 18:35

Is it not surprising that the verse refers David's greatness to God's gentleness rather than to God's power? Now of course God's power is at the disposal of his people; this Psalm makes that very clear. But the Lord knows our frame, and he remembers that we are dust. And so instead of using his power to crush us, he mingles power with gentleness as he humbles himself to save and serve his people. Does this not bespeak the tenderness, love, and concern that God has for his people?

God's gentleness makes us great. We are not made great ultimately by our wisdom or strength or riches, but by the grace and kindness of the Almighty. It is God's gentleness that forgives our sins, and by which he forebears with us and guards us from our enemies and keeps us until we enter into our eternal inheritance.

The greatest example of this is of course our Lord Jesus Christ, who made himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men, dying for sinful men and women that they might have eternal life. It is no wonder, then that the apostle Matthew applied the following prophesy in Isaiah 42:3 to Christ in his gospel, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory."

Do you feel like a bruised reed? Fear not, for your Lord and Savior will not allow you to break, and his gentleness will make you great.