April 9, Evening
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"Thy gentleness hath made me great." — Psalm 18:35 · KJV
The words may also be translated, "Thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness, not to his own goodness, but to the goodness of God. Another reading is "Thy providence" — and providence is nothing but goodness in action. Goodness is the bud of which providence is the flower; goodness is the seed of which providence is the harvest. Some render it "Thy help," which is but another word for providence, providence being the firm ally of the saints, aiding them in the service of their Lord. Or again, "Thy humility hath made me great." "Thy condescension" may perhaps serve as a comprehensive reading, combining all these ideas, including that of humility. It is God's making Himself little that is the cause of our being made great. We are so little that, if God should display 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, turns His eye yet lower, and looks to the lowly and contrite, and makes them great. There are yet other readings; the Septuagint reads, "Thy discipline" — Your fatherly correction — "hath made me great," while the Chaldee paraphrase reads, "Thy word hath increased me." Still the idea is the same: David ascribes all his greatness to the condescending goodness of his Father in heaven. May this thought be echoed in our hearts this evening, as we cast our crowns at Jesus' feet and cry, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." How marvelous has been our experience of God's gentleness! How gentle His corrections! how gentle His forbearance! how gentle His teachings! how gentle His drawings! Meditate on this theme, O believer. Let gratitude be awakened, humility deepened, love quickened, before you fall asleep tonight.