DECEMBER 27

GOD’S GENTLENESS TO ME

“Thou hast given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great.” (Psalm 18:35)

We are keenly aware that it is God alone that directs our steps, to be our salvation, and it is His hand that upholds us all the way. “Yes he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand,” (Rom. 14:4). So we come to the sentence, “Thy gentleness hath made me great”.

Lamsa translation: “Thy discipline hath made me great.” His judgments are executed for our discipline, for our correction, for our development. While “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby,” (Heb. 12:11). Thus we are enriched, built up, settled, stablished, strengthened in Him.

Young’s Literal, “Thy lowliness maketh me great.” We find that the word ‘gentleness’ comes from the Hebrew word meaning ‘humility’. It was HIS humility that shall make us great, cause us to become rich, abundant in His fullness. In line with this, the Amplified gives “Your gentleness and condescension have made me great.” “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich,” (II Cor. 8:9). Truly it can be said, “Thy humility hath made me great!” As in the Old Testament we have the word ‘gentleness’ meaning ‘humility’, so also in the New Testament, when Paul writes, “I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,” (II Cor. 10:1). Rotherham: “Through the meekness and considerateness of Christ.”

Moffatt, “Thine answers to prayer have raised me.” How precious. Though we have no merit to claim any of His favors, yet when we call, “He condescends to men of low estate”. He answers our prayers. He raises us up. We cannot raise ourselves. We are not our own saviours. This work is of God! “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies,” (Ps. 103:4). Praise His name!

Ray Prinzing

Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700

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