God's Gentleness Makes Us Great

Psalm 18:35 declares: "Thy gentleness hath made me great." When sinful minds construct gods by natural light alone, those gods reflect only coarseness and depravity. But the God of revelation contrives to be gentle, hiding His omnipotence to instill confidence in His children.

What constitutes divine gentleness? God's gentleness manifests in His use of indirection rather than force. Instead of overwhelming humanity with direct onset, He lays siege gently, awaiting our willing consent. This is Christianity's genius—bringing obedience through loving indirection, revealed supremely in the incarnate life and death of Jesus. Even the inexorable forces of nature serve this purpose; Elohim can conceal His omnipotence behind His love because majestic forces stand as the rear-guard of His mercies.

God's end in employing these gracious methods is our greatness. The Gospel humbles our pride and wilfulness, yet elevates us in capacity, power, and personal majesty—both in will and intellect. How perverse to demand that God convert us by force! Rather, we must adjust our understanding by observing His careful respect for our liberty, His tender mercies toward our violated feelings, the sending of His Son, and the silent intercession of His Spirit.

The word gentleness (prautes) combines goodness with lowliness. It stands in contrast with greatness, revealing God stooping to what is lowly. His condescension produces the gentle, tender rule of His loving administration. Live, therefore, with full sense of your high calling.