Sunday, September 8, 2013

The Tenderness of our God

Psalm 18:35- You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. (NKJV)
Psalm 18:35-...Your humility exalts me. (HCSB)

Jesus, speaking of Himself, calls Himself "gentle and humble" (Matthew 11:29). Do you know that God? Do you know the One who is gentle, the God who is humble?
The Genesis 1 God who made everything is gentle. Do you know the "high and lofty one who lives in eternity" (Isa 57:15) is tender with me, with you?

The more we meditate on and speak of the tenderness of God, the more gentle we will become. God relates to us in tenderness, so we can relate to ourselves and others in the same manner. Does He correct us? Absolutely. It is His humility in all His dealings with us that empowers us, not harshness. We are harsh with others, because deep down we are hard on ourselves. For me, usually the area I am most annoyed at another in, is the same area I am needing or wanting breakthrough. 

I find myself often surrounded by harsh words, whether from our culture, the accuser, or broken thinking: "You haven't gotten better in that yet?;" "You can't be happy until you have/look/do this;" "Loser." But there has never been a time God has not loved me. He likes being around me. God enjoys my company, and He likes the sound of my voice. He loves when I draw near to Him, and when I stand on His promise that He won't ever forsake me. Negative self-talk, thoughts, and harsh words have lost power over my mind and emotions as I began to ruminate on God's thoughts toward me. It's a daily battle, but I'm winning.

Precious are your thoughts about me, O God...I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. (Ps 139:17-18 NLT)

Begin or recommit today to Thank God and Speak back to Him His precious thoughts toward you. Thank Him for being gentle and humble. If you need a starting place start with Psalm 139, and speak back to God (& over yourself) how He feels about you. Grace!