And it is only as we are thus free that with the
whole heart and with a single eye we can devote ourselves to the
work of saving men.
6. With all his boldness and faithfulness he was _gentle_.
"We were gentle among you," he says, "as a nurse cherisheth her
children."
The fierce hurricane which casts down the giant trees of the
forest is not so mighty as the gentle sunshine, which, from tiny
seeds and acorns, lifts aloft the towering spires of oak and fir
on a thousand hills and mountains.
The wild storm that lashes the sea into foam and fury is feeble
compared to the gentle, yet immeasurably powerful influence,
which twice a day swings the oceans in resistless tides from
shore to shore.
And as in the physical world the mighty powers are gentle in
their vast workings, so it is in the spiritual world. The light
that falls on the lids of the sleeping infant and wakes it from
its slumber, is not more gentle than the "still small voice" that
brings assurance of forgiveness or cleansing to them that look
unto Jesus.
Oh, the gentleness of God! "Thy gentleness hath made me great,"
said David. "I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ" (2 Cor. x. 1), wrote Paul. And again, "The fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness" (Gal. v.
22). And as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are gentle, so will
be the servant of the Lord who is filled with the Spirit.
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