Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
April 9– Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“Your gentleness [O God] has made me great.”
—Psalm 18:35
The word translated “gentleness” here is capable of being rendered in several ways. One translation is, “your goodness has made me great.” David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness but the goodness of God.”
Another possible translation is “Your providence.” Providence is God seeing our needs ahead of time and taking action to meet those needs; it is God’s goodness in action. Goodness is the bud of which providence is the flower, or goodness is the seed of which providence is the harvest.
Others render this expression “your help,” which is simply another word for providence; God’s providence is the firm ally of the saints, aiding them in the service of their Lord.
“Your condescension” is a comprehensive translation, combining the ideas mentioned already along with that of humility and lowliness. It is God’s making himself little, which is the cause of our being made great. We are so little, in fact, that, if God should manifest his greatness without condescension, we would be trampled under his feet. But God, who must stoop to view the skies and bow to see what angels do, focuses his attention on those who are lowly and contrite in heart, and he makes them great.
There are yet other renderings of this word. The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) reads, “your discipline”—your fatherly correction—has made me great. Even still the idea is the same. David ascribes all his own greatness to the condescending goodness of his Father in heaven.
May this sentiment be echoed in our hearts this evening while we cast our crowns at Jesus’ feet and cry, “your gentleness hath made me great.” Reflect on your experience of God’s gentleness! How gentle have been his corrections! How gentle his patience! How gentle his teachings! How gentle his drawings! Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love come to you before you fall asleep tonight. [M&E]
