As a child I used to sing a song which says, “Gentle Jesus, meek and
mild, look upon a little child. I am weak but You are strong…” Matt. 5:5
says, “Blessed are the gentle/ meek/ humble for they shall inherit the
earth.” Meek in Greek is “praus” which means GENTLE. It is a positive
moral quality of dealing with people in a kind manner, with humility and
consideration. Strong Concordance
Many people think that gentleness means weakness, but gentleness
strengthens relationships. Our is God is powerfully gentle. Isaiah 40:11
says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his
arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have
young.” Jesus dealt with others strongly, but also with kindness and
gentleness which are fruits of the Spirit.
In 1 Kings 19 we read how Elijah had great success over the Baal
worshippers, but when wicked Jezebel threatened to kill him, Elijah fled
and hid, first in the desert, then in a cave. In Verse 9b God asked Elijah,
“What are you doing here, Elijah?” Abba Father gently asks that question
to each one of us – “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” Elijah was having a
pity-party, but God told Elijah to “Go out and stand in the presence of the
Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
First a powerful wind came by that shattered the mountains and rocks,
but the Lord was not in the wind, nor was He in an earthquake that
passed by, also not in the fire that passed after the earthquake, BUT
“after the fire came a GENTLE whisper” and God asked Eljah yet again
what he was doing there.
Sometimes our minds and lives are so full of confusing thoughts and busy
actions that we miss that soft, gentle voice of the Holy Spirit whispering
to us. Abba loves whispering to us gently, saying; “I don’t need you in
that place of bitterness or anger, resentment, jealousy, or hurts. I want to
give you total healing and purpose.” Jesus has gentle compassion on the
sick and those who are hurting spiritually or emotionally.
In the Bible gentle means POWER UNDER CONTROL. We can live OUT of
control which is a destructive power. We can live IN control, meaning we
do things in our own strength, or we can live UNDER the control of the
Holy Spirit who gently helps us, convicts and guides us, and where joy
and peace reign.
If we want to be a great dad or mother, or a good spouse or friend or
boss, or a good student or co-worker; we need to have the power of
gentleness and humility. Proverbs 15: 1 says – “A gentle answer turns
away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov. 25:15 says, “Through
patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a
bone.” NCV says – “A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.”
Precious Lord Jesus, thank You so much for always being lovingly gentle
with me. Thank You that Your love is not only gentle, but genuine,
compassionate, and everlasting. Please teach me to also have a humble
and gentle nature, that will draw others to You and Your love. Amen
Myrtle Turunen