When it comes to the fifth characteristic of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians, I had a little trouble at first. It is hard to ascribe Gentleness as an attribute of the Almighty Creator of the universe. However as I researched the word in the Bible, I began to see that this is indeed a part of the character of our Heavenly Father. And as I thought about the world around me I began to see, in His creation, the evidence of that Gentleness. I thought of the tender attitude of mother animals with their babies. I thought of gentle breezes that feel so wonderful on a warm spring day. I used the picture above because it struck me as perfect to illustrate the Gentle side of our Creator. The same creative force that spoke mighty mountains and great turbulent oceans into being, took the time to fashion such simple little wild flowers as well.
There were not many instances of God's gentleness recorded in the Old Testament. They were mostly in Psalms by David, who, as a man after God's own heart, was one of the few Old Testament writers who took the time to try to get to really know God. Most of the writers in the Old Testament were concerned with God's power, His anger and the retribution which followed. However, one incident in the life of Elijah, when he was hiding from Queen Jezebel in the wilderness struck me as I studied the quieter nature of God.
Elijah was in despair, he was one of the few prophets left alive and he saw his death looming closer each day. He basically challenged God. He said that the people of Israel had forsaken God, they had killed all His prophets and "I, even I only, am left" (1 Kings 19:10 KJV). He was asking the same question we sometimes ask "Where are you God?" In answer, God told Elijah to stand on the mountainside before the Lord. "And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out..." (1 Kings 19:11-13). What a wonderful picture of the stillness of God, the gentler side of His nature. I am sure that Elijah, witnessing the mighty power of God thought sure that He would be revealed in one of those dynamic manifestations, but it was the still small voice that spoke to his heart.
When Jesus came to earth, He came not as a powerful king but as a little baby. Throughout His life, He showed people who his Father was, not in a boisterous way with fanfare and trumpets, but with a quiet demeanor and gentle ways. He said to His disciples at the end of His ministry "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:7 KJV) So we know that in seeing Jesus, studying His life and remembering His words as recorded in the Gospels, we have a greater understanding of who God the Father is. And Jesus urged us to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." In the mighty awesomeness of God there is a gentler side, a quieter side that will enable us to find "rest for our souls".
As our lives become more and more focused on God and less and less on our physical needs, we will show forth to others the gentle side of God. We will be able to better hear that "still, small voice" ourselves and we will find it easier to "be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10) In Isaiah's book in chapter 40, he prophesies of the Messiah and goes on to list the mighty works of the creator of the universe. But in the midst of the list of the powerful things that God can do, he says this:
"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes" (v 11) It is an illustration which Jesus Himself used when He called Himself the "Good Shepherd".
Isaiah ends this chapter with some words of comfort that show the effect the gentle side of God can cause in our lives. If we show forth this kind of Fruit in our lives we will be giving a great gift to those around us. It is what Jesus portrayed through His own life that called people to come and find "rest for their souls". I have relied on these verses many times in my own life:
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."