Gentled by love

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Philemon 1-25;
 Psalm 24

TO CHEW ON: "It's as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains." Philemon 9,10.

There is something in Paul's voice that is sweet and appealing. Perhaps it's his reference to himself as old. Or maybe it's the helplessness he implies with the use of the words "prisoner" and "chains."

The tone with which he requests mercy for Onesimus could have been far bolder, he reminds Philemon: "... although in Christ I could ... order you to do what you ought to do..." Paul softens his request. It's tempered with love: "Yet I appeal to you on the basis of love" - Philemon 1:9.

I'm thinking that our relationships, within our human families and the church family would run more smoothly, and that there would be a greater will to comply with each others wishes if we communicated with the same gentleness. May God fill our hearts with the oil of love to lubricate our relationships and our speech.

PRAYER: Dear Father, I need Your love to pervade and gentle my interactions with others. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 24

The Bible Project VIDEO: Philemon (Read Scripture Series)



 *********
Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted in this meditation are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What to pursue

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Timothy 5-6; Psalm 21

TO CHEW ON: "But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11

It is more probable that we will succeed in reaching a goal if we focus on the positive (the thing or action we are striving toward) rather than the negative (the thing or action were are to avoid). Paul, after warning Timothy about the dangers of pursuing "these things" — he's been talking about the love of money — tells Timothy what to pursue:

Pursue [Strong's #1377) Dioko] means to press on. Figuratively it is used of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal.] In this context it is pursuit without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after; to pursue or to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire. In plain words, to go after something with all one's might.

Righteousness: [Strong's #1343  Dikaiosune means in a broad sense to be in a condition acceptable to God. In a narrower sense it is used of someone who is just and gives each his due.]

Godliness: [Strong's #2150  Eusebeia  means to have reverence, respect and piety towards God.]

Faith: [Strong's #4102 Pistis refers to the conviction of the truth of anything; belief. In the NT faith implies a conviction or belief about man's relationship to God and divine things.] This includes the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. Relating to Christ, it is a conviction that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God. Toward men, it implies qualities of fidelity or faithfulness — we say we have faith in someone because he can be relied on.


Love: [Strong's #26 Agape is brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.] For a practical description, read 1 Corinthians 13.

Patience: [Strong's #5281 Hupomone is steadfastness, constancy, endurance.] Patience (also translated "perseverance" in the NT is the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.

Gentleness: [Strong's #4236 Praotes refers to gentleness, mildness, and meekness.] A "Word Wealth" article in my Bible says about gentleness:

"A disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated "meekness" not as an indication of weakness but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults and rules his own spirit well." New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1706

(All emphases mine)

What a list! Where to start?

If you're like me, the quality or characteristic that you're currently pursuing will change from circumstance to circumstance. If you're speaking with someone who argues persuasively against the existence of God, your faith may need shoring up. If you are having issues with a difficult neighbour, your attention will be drawn toward pursuing love. If you're living with a wilfull child, your focus may be on pursuing gentleness.

One thing is sure: If we give ourselves fully to these pursuits, we won't have a lot of time or energy left to chase after money, fame, power or any of "these things" about which Paul warns Timothy.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me focus on pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness in my life. Amen

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 21

*****************

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Our tough and tender Shepherd

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 39-41; Psalm 118

TO CHEW ON: "Behold the Lord God shall come with a strong hand ...

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arms,

And carry them in His bosom

And gently lead those who are with young." Isaiah 40:10,11

I love seeing news footage of tough athletes (hockey or football players) interacting with kids from the Vancouver Children's Hospital, or watching my strong, capable son-in-law take care of his little daughter. There is something compelling about strength combined with tenderness. In Isaiah 40 we see that aspect of God.

Though He governs with a strong hand and a ruling arm, He rules His own with the utmost of gentleness:

• He feeds His flock. [Feed - ra 'ah  means to shepherd, tend, pasture, cause one's herd or flock to graze, care for one's animals, providing them with good pasture - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 919.]

• He carries the lambs—the young and immature—in His arms and carries them close to His heart.

• He takes special care of the mothers: "gently leads those who are with young."

This passage from Isaiah reminds us of other God-as-shepherd passages.

* Psalm 80:1-2 also combines God's tenderness with strength: "Give ear O Shepherd of Israel / You who lead Joseph like a flock .... Stir up Your strength, / And come and save us."

* So does Micah 5:4: "He shall stand and feed His flock / In the strength of the Lord .." Here "He" refers to Jesus. Two verses earlier in the same passage, Micah predicts His birth in Bethlehem.

* Psalm 23:1-6 shows God shepherding the individual by bringing him to the best pasture and to still water, comforting him in a brush with death, and exalting him before enemies.

* And of course we can't forget the words of Jesus Himself as He expands on His role as our shepherd in John 10. There He talks about how His sheep know His voice (John 10:4), how entry into the sheepfold through Him (the door - John 10:7) assures them safety and an abundant life (John 10:9,10), how He is so committed to the sheep He lays down His life for them (John 10:15), and how no one has power to take the sheep away from Him (John 10:28).

What comfort and security we know in the care of our shepherd who is both strong and tender. I have put myself in His care. Have you?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your power, which so often shows itself in gentleness. Help me to recognize Your voice and always follow You. Amen.


PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 118

The Bible Project VIDEO: Isaiah Part 2 of 2 (Read Scripture Series)




********************
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Beautiful humility

Image: Pixabay

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Peter 5:1-14

TO CHEW ON: “… Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud / But gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5 (the quote is Proverbs 3:34)


Genuine humility has to be one of the most attractive qualities a person can possess.

The word “humble” serves as both an adjective and a verb. Its noun form is “humility.”

[Humble means - Adjective: not proud or arrogant but modest; having a feeling of insignificance; low in rank, importance or status; courteously respectful. Verb: to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; to make meek.]

A partial list of synonyms for humble helps us understand what humility feels like and how we communicate humility through actions: content, courteous, deferential, gentle, lowly, mild, modest, obliging, polite, quiet, respectful, sedate, simple, soft-spoken, submissive, unostentatious, unpretentious.

Aside from the fact that humility makes us attractive to others, it is also desirable because it is hugely attractive to God.

• God “regards” the lowly (Psalm 138:6) “…For though the Lord is high yet has He respect to the lowly bringing them into fellowship with Him” - Psalm 138:6 AMP.

• He will look “… on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit” - Isaiah 66:2

• We are great in God’s eyes when we welcome the “least” person, e.g. a child - Luke 9:48.

• Humility sets us up to be exalted by God while pride sets us up for divine humiliation - Luke 14:11; James 4:10.

• God “gives grace” to the humble - Jame 4:6 and our focus verse, 1 Peter 5:5.

As we contemplate who God is and compare with who we are, humility is the only rational response. May we take this realistic sense of ourselves into the day, and more … may humility pervade our lives.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help me to see myself realistically and respond with appropriate humility. Amen.

 *********
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Is this Servant your Master?

Jesus and the Children - Artist unknown

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 42:1-13

TO CHEW ON: "'Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom my soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.'" Isaiah 42:1

Usually when the prophets referred to "servant" they meant Israel. However, "The Servant here appears to be someone different," writes Nathaniel M. Van Cleave in my Bible's commentary on Isaiah (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 922.

When we read the New Testament with the words of Isaiah 42 in our ears, it doesn't take long for us to discover who this Servant is.

In Matthew 3:17 and 17:5 a voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism and when He is on the mountain calls out: "'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," reminding us of "My Elect One in whom My Soul delights" - Isaiah 42:1.

Then the gospel writer Matthew clearly links Isaiah's Servant here with Jesus: "Yet He (Jesus) warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, 'Behold My Servant whom I have chosen…'" and goes on to quote at length from Isaiah 42.

What will this Servant be like? According to Isaiah, He:

• Is God's delight (Isaiah 42:1).

• Is full of the Holy Spirit - Isaiah 42:1.

• Is for the Gentiles - Isaiah 42:1,6.

• Is soft-spoken, not loud and bombastic - Isaiah 42:2.

• Is gentle and understanding of the hurt and broken - Isaiah 42:3.

• Stands for justice and truth - Isaiah 42:3,4.

• Works in the light as a bringer of sight and insight - Isaiah 42:6,7.

• Stands for freedom - Isaiah 42:7.

• Deserves the glory and all our worship - Isaiah 42:8, 10-13.

• Is able to do away with the old and bring about this new state of affairs - Isaiah 42:9.

How thrilling to see these things predicted hundreds of years (about 700) before Jesus came to earth as a flesh-and-blood baby that matured to become this God-man. And the beautiful thing is that each one of us can have a personal relationship with this Servant. For Jesus says:

"Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with me" - Revelation 3:20.

and

"Jesus answered, If a person really loves Me, he will keep My word—obey my teaching: and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him" - John 14:23 AMP.

Have you made the acquaintance of this Servant? Has he become the One whose word you "keep," in other words, your Master?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus thank You for the clear testimony of the prophets concerning Your identity, character and destiny. I have chosen, and continue to choose You as my Lord. Amen.

***********

 Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labelled AMP are taken from the Amplified^® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Gentle touch of blessing

"Jesus blesses the Children" from Treasures of the Bible

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 10:1-6

TO CHEW ON: "Then they brought little children to Him that He might touch them … And He took them up in HIs arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:13,16

What a beautiful picture of God incarnate, interacting with children.

He touches them.

[Touch - hapto means to fasten to a thing, kindle, set of fire. It's the same word that's used often in the gospels of Jesus when He heals people, or they reach out and contact some part of Him.]

Here Jesus' touch delivers a blessing.

He takes the children in His arms and lays His hands on them. It is a picture of gentleness.  Other places in the Bible where we see God or His servants handling people with gentleness:

• David, when praying a psalm of thanksgiving after the danger of Saul is past says "Your gentleness has made me great" - 2 Samuel 22:36 and also Psalm 18:35.

• Isaiah prophesies that Messiah will be gentle:

"He will feed His flock like a shepherd . … and gently lead those who are with young" - Isaiah 40:11.

"A bruised reed He will not break
And smoking flax He will not quench" - Isaiah 42:3.

Matthew points out that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's predictions (Matthew 12:20).

• Paul speaking to the Christians in Corinth does it with meekness and gentleness - 2 Corinthians 10:1. He reminds the church in Thessalonica that he ministered among them with gentleness: "… just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children" - 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

Let's be challenged today by this beautiful example of Jesus and His servants, to touch things—physically and in ministry and speech—with gentleness, delivering healing and a blessing.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, as I interact with people today, please bring to mind the picture of You gently touching and holding the children to bless and heal.

 *********
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Of bruised reeds

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 42:1-9

TO CHEW ON: "A bruised reed He will not break

And smoking flax He will not quench." Isaiah 42:3

It is Sabbath. Jesus enters the synagogue in Galilee, and it is as if the Pharisees have been lying in wait for just this moment. Almost immediately they approach Jesus with a man in tow — a man with his right hand skinny as a bird claw and clenched against his chest.

Look at their eager eyes. They have the net, now to haul in the catch!

Their spokesman parks the man right in front of Jesus and asks, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

The challenge in his voice together with his station and authority are enough to cow anyone, and Jesus' companions hold their collective breaths. What will their Rabbi say to this?

He answers with His usual thoughtful wisdom and clever turning of the question back on them: "What man is there among you who has one sheep and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

And then, with a Creator's compassion for a bit of His broken creation, He heals the man's hand.

The Pharisees leave the crowd that has gathered, humiliated and incensed and plotting "how they might destroy Him."

Jesus quietly gets out of town. When the multitudes find Him, He "heals them all," but also warns them not to make Him known...

All of which proves, says Matthew, the teller of this story that Jesus is the one Isaiah spoke of when he said (and he quotes the first part of today's reading verbatim):

"Behold! My servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
....A bruised reed he will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench..." Matthew 12:18-21.

The story of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand seems the perfect illustration of "a bruised reed He will not break..."

How often we too are bruised reeds, damaged, hurt and paralyzed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Or we're smoking flax with just a spark of fire left in us.  How wonderful it is to know that Jesus understands and deals with us gently and justly ("He will bring forth justice for truth - Isaiah 42:3) and successfully ("He will not fail nor be discouraged" - Isaiah 42:4).

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for being the example of compassionate servanthood. I need such treatment from You, and pray for Your Spirit's reminder to me to be compassionate and gentle when dealing with the hurt and almost extinguished people around me. Amen.

**********
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Withdraw - is it an option?

Christ in the synagogue - Gustave Dore

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 12:15-32


TO CHEW ON: "Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there." Matthew 12:14-15

Here we see Jesus making a point of avoiding confrontation. When He discovered the Pharisees were plotting to take His life, He slipped away.

While we moderns often thrive on the controversy that confrontation brings, using the notoriety to further our cause (whether that is selling books, songs or the latest movie, pushing greenness, bike lanes, or racial equality), Jesus quietly left the area. Mind you, the Pharisees here were plotting to take His life. But you'd think that as Lord of the universe He could easily have foiled that while utilizing the showdown to draw attention to Himself and what He taught. But that wasn't His way.

Matthew interprets His actions as Jesus embodying the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 42:1-4):

"I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles

He will not quarrel nor cry out.

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets..."

Instead of quarreling and crying out, the Isaiah Servant is characterized by the care He shows the hurting:

"A bruised reed He will not break

And smoking flax He will not quench."

That's exactly what we've just seen Jesus do. He demonstrated that His first concern was with the person that was in trouble and needed help.

• Matthew 12:3-4: He defended famished David and his men for eating the sacred showbread (1 Samuel 21:6).

• Matthew 12:5: He defended the priests, who needed to work (prepare sacrifices and offerings - Numbers 28:9) on the Sabbath.

• Matthew 12:7: He quoted the prophets (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8) to show that preferring mercy over strict legalism was God's long-established principle.

And then to prove it, Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, right in front of their eyes ON THE SABBATH! Which, of course, led to the threats quoted at the beginning of this meditation.

What do we do when we are certain we have the right approach, have done the right thing and are challenged, even threatened for it? Might that be the time to take a page out of Jesus' book and "withdraw" from there. Not back down on principle, but refrain from defending ourselves and our position? What do you think?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your example of humility and gentleness. Your unpretentious ways are a challenge to me to be less strident in defending myself, more trusting that God will come to my defense in the right time and way. Amen.

************

I'm excited about launching a newsletter and I'd love to send it to you! 

In it I'll be sharing

• Book recommendations. I discover some wonderful books as a book reviewer.

• Bible study tips and aids. In the 4+ years I've been writing Other Food  Daily Devos, I have come across many helpful resources.

• Author news.

Sample page from Pathways Calendar.

The newsletter will come out quarterly (four times a year). I'm currently collecting names for my September 1st newsletter launch and would be delighted to have your name on the list. 

Get a colorful 18-month scripture-text calendar when you sign up (designed by me especially for all you wonderful subscribers)!

Sign up below:

Subscribe to my quarterly newsletter

************
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Of bruised reeds

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 42:1-13

TO CHEW ON: "A bruised reed He will not break

And smoking flax He will not quench." Isaiah 42:3

It is Sabbath. Jesus enters the synagogue in Galilee, and it is as if the Pharisees have been lying in wait for just this moment. Almost immediately they approach Jesus with a man in tow — a man with his right hand skinny as a bird claw and clenched against his chest.

Look at their eager eyes. They have the net, now to haul in the catch!

Their spokesman parks the man right in front of Jesus and asks, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

The challenge in his voice together with his station and authority are enough to cow anyone, and Jesus' companions hold their collective breaths. What will their Rabbi say to this?

He answers with His usual thoughtful wisdom and clever turning of the question back on them: "What man is there among you who has one sheep and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

And then, with a Creator's compassion for a bit of His broken creation, He heals the man's hand.

The Pharisees leave the crowd that has gathered, humiliated and incensed and plotting "how they might destroy Him."

Jesus quietly gets out of town. When the multitudes find Him, He "heals them all," but also warns them not to make Him known...

All of which proves, says Matthew, the teller of this story (Matthew 12:9-17) that Jesus is the one Isaiah spoke of when he said (and he quotes the first part of today's reading verbatim):

"Behold! My servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
....A bruised reed he will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench..." Matthew 12:18-21.

The story of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand seems the perfect illustration of "a bruised reed He will not break..."

How often we too are bruised reeds, damaged, hurt and paralyzed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Or we're smoking flax with just a spark of fire left in us.  How wonderful it is to know that Jesus understands and deals with us gently and justly ("He will bring forth justice for truth - Isaiah 42:3) and successfully ("He will not fail nor be discouraged" - Isaiah 42:4).

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for being the example of compassionate servanthood. I need such treatment from You, and pray for Your Spirit to help me to be compassionate and gentle when dealing with the hurt and almost extinguished people around me. Amen.

MORE: "Tender Reed" by Lisa Bevill

The years leave their marks
Like wounds on the heart
An aching where once there was none
The bitter winds blow
So where does one go
To heal when the damage is done


CHORUS:
Oh tender reed
Although you're so fragile
Tender reed
Although you've been bruised
The gentle hand that grew you from a seed
Will be all the strength that you need


I know that it seems
You're feeling more grief
Before the last heartache could mend
But one thing is sure
God knows you'll endure
He won't let you break, only bend


CHORUS


So hold fast
Even if it takes awhile
God the Father
Will not forsake His child



(From the archives)

Do you have a reputation for gentleness?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Philippians 4:1-23

TO CHEW ON: "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." Philippians 4:5

I read Paul's directive about gentleness and I feel an objection rise in me. What about those of us who aren't naturally gentle, who have an ungentle, fiery streak, who lack the patience for the extra time it takes to deal with people and situations softly, who have reputation for being anything but gentle?

It seems Euodia and Syntyche were two such women. They were on the same side—both Christians, and fellow-workers with Paul. But they had had a falling out. Paul's general plea for gentleness after he mentions their situation implies that harshness with each other may have been one of their problems.

What is gentleness?

[The dictionary defines it: Gentle: 1) Mild and amiable in nature or disposition; kindly, patient. 2) Not harsh, rough, or loud; soft, moderate, mild, a gentle voice."]

[The Greek word epieikes used here for gentleness "...suggests a character that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing, moderate, fair, and considerate. It is the opposite of harsh, abrasive, sarcastic, cruel, and contentious" - "Word Wealth" - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1702.]

• Paul brings up gentleness several times in his letters.

- He reminds the Thessalonians of his gentle ways among then - 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

- Gentleness makes his list of leader qualities in 1 Timothy 3:3, 2 Timothy 2:24, and Titus 3:2.

• James includes gentleness in his description of what Godly wisdom is made of in James 3:17.

• But the mention of gentleness that woos me most persuasively is the brief reference to its fruit (kindness) in the Proverbs description of the ideal wife: "She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]" - Proverbs 31:25 - Amplified. Imagine one's tongue being ruled by kindness. How beautiful is that!

The final short sentence of our focus verse, "The Lord is at hand," may offer a key to how ungentle types can become gentle. If God is at hand [near - eggus, i.e. near in place and position, nearby; near in time, coming soon], we don't need to concern ourselves with enforcing our will on the person or situation with bullying, sarcasm, harshness, or cruelty. If we live with the conviction that God is nearby and will make His appearance at any moment, we can afford the luxury of being patient, kind, soft, and gentle, leaving it for Him to be the heavy if that is what is needed.


PRAYER: Dear God, help me to internalize the reality of You, nearby and coming soon. Help me to grow in gentleness, learning from Your gentle ways with me. Amen.


MORE: Gentle Shepherd - Gaither Vocal Band



More on gentleness here

Gentleness

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 2 Timothy 2:14-26

TO CHEW ON: "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient." 2 Timothy 2:24

One of the things the internet has done is encourage quarrelsomeness — an attitude that Paul contrasts with gentleness in this letter to novice pastor Timothy. Read the comments on any controversial news story, blog post or YouTube video and you're almost guaranteed to find one or more chippy response, seemingly crafted to start an argument. As soon as someone takes the bait, the fight is on.

The word gentle: (adjective) means kindly, amiable, mild, versus severe, rough or violent; easily handled or managed; polite. "Gentle is a reference especially to disposition and behaviour, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others" (Dictionary.com).

I like that: "a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance." It suggests that gentle is a way we decide to be, even though it may not come naturally.

A quick study of the use of the words gentle and gentleness in the Bible brings out a variety of observations:

1. God is gentle with us. Isaiah 40:11 pictures Him leading us like a shepherd leads his flock — stating explicitly that He "gently leads those with young."

2. "Gentle" is the way we treat the young and vulnerable.
- Jesus treated children gently (Mark 10:16).
- Paul says, "we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children" (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

3. Paul in his instructions to novice leaders underlines the importance of gentleness (Titus 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:3 and our focus verse today).

4. James includes gentleness in his list of qualities that those with heavenly wisdom possess (James 3:17).

5. God's gentleness helps us realize our potential (2 Samuel 22:36, Psalm 18:35).

It's easy to be swept into our society's admiration for wittiness. Who hasn't been tempted to respond to things with which one disagrees with a clever put-down, sarcasm, a strident tone. But such ungentle, quarrel-provoking attitudes and are not God's way.

However, Paul, in advising Timothy, doesn't tell him to be a doormat and accept false teaching in the interests of showing gentleness. The challenge for him and us continues to be to contend for truth, but with patience, humility and gentleness.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to choose gentleness, especially when I'm provoked, irritated, don't agree, challenged, and feel I need to prove that I'm right. Amen.

MORE: John Maxwell, on Gentleness

"I want to have that gentleness of spirit where somehow when people are around me, it gets them off themselves and what they want, and begins to refocus them upon God and who he is. I would like it to be said about me like it was about my pop. Some day I would like someone to say, "You know, I was around John for a while, and I just felt like I was in the presence of God."

— John Maxwell, at the end of the sermon "Fruit That is Never Out of Season: Gentleness."

Do your 8-12-year-olds have daily devotions? Point them to Bible Drive-Thru.