Gentle Gift

Friday, ‎December ‎23, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Luke 1:68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Readings: NAHUM 1-3 REVELATION 14

Gentleness

Gentleness is defined as considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.

Not harsh or severe; mild and soft.

We know from the old testament that God was harsh and severe to those who did not honor Him and who worshipped hand made idols and did evil. So how do we reconcile this? We do not. That is God's job.

What we must do is know our God this:

Psalm 86:15

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

God's wisdom is gentle.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

God had to do what He did for a greater purpose than what we can quickly understand. But we have to see how black sin is to God and His purposes for His people. On one hand God had to sue death to clear a path for His people. God had to use the death of Jesus to conquer death. On the other hand, God's wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Our fear of God is the beginning of His wisdom for us. We know how really frightening is God's power. This is where we start in understanding how gentle is God's heart for us. As we seek His kingdom and His righteousness, the Spirit of God unfolds the garment of His heart and reveals that though His strength is ultimately destructive, His heart is ultimately gentle and forgiving.

The wisdom of God from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Gentleness is a gift from our God most high. Our God who has been and is still relentless in His hate for sin is ulimately gentle to His children in Christ Jesus. His love, in His gentleness, can do no less than what it demands.

In God's presence, as we seek His face, we will experience His gentleness in the midst of His ultimate power. In all that power, He holds us in His hands as the fragile objects of His ultimate love-never harsh or severe but always mildly and softly. His love demands our ultimate protection-as His hands hold us so tightly that none can ever pull away, we are never in danger of being crushed by His power.

Gentleness-ultimate gentleness. What a gift! Thank You, Lord!

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for not realizing how very gentle You are, oh God. Your gentle mercy's are amazing.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen