This week the blog is sponsored by Moody Publishers, publisher of Overflowing Mercies by Craig Allen Cooper. In the book, Craig opens readers to the beautiful, merciful heart of our triune God. In a culture that is short on compassion, maybe that’s difficult to imagine. There’s not nearly enough patience or tenderness in the world. Maybe you’re in the middle of a hard season and feel disheartened. In this 100-day devotional, you will be comforted as you meditate on God’s character and find courage in His promises to you. You can purchase Overflowing Mercies here.
PSALM 103:10 “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”
On a writing retreat in south Florida, I learned of a man who had an altercation with another individual on the streets of Miami. They exchanged punches and one of the men fell to the ground. Rising and dusting himself off, he left the scene and returned to his vehicle, apparently having lost the fight. That’s when anger took control; in a fit of rage, he aimed his new Corvette at full speed onto the sidewalk, running over the individual who had struck him. When police arrived, they arrested the man for attempted vehicular homicide, while an ambulance took the injured pedestrian to the emergency room for treatment. Was this a display of strength? No, the whole scene was a spectacle of horror.
In contrast to this, God shows His power in the demonstrations of His patience. An ancient proverb says, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Prov. 16:32). Anyone can lose their temper, but it takes something stronger than might to keep the spirit in a tight rein. It takes the presence and power of the Almighty. The greatest display of strength is tenderness in the midst of provocation. Gentleness is the primo expression of power because the ruling of one’s spirit is strength under control.
God is all powerful, and in His almighty power, He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Jesus was the gentlest person to ever live on the face of this earth. On the cross, He prayed for His enemies who were crucifying him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Now, Jesus invites us into His gentleness: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29).
We live in a world full of rage, and it is not a world full of rest. Rest and rage cannot coexist like gentleness and rest can. God is all powerful, and in His almighty power, He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. This is good news for every offender. Let’s rest in this mercy and learn to extend it to others with tenderness and strength.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!2
Reflect: Where have you seen gentle strength on display?
Let’s Pray: Almighty God, I praise You for Your strength and Your tenderness even in the midst of provocation. There is no one like You, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Please fill my heart with Your tender mercy and strength to show Your gentleness in a world so full of rage. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. “It Is Well with My Soul,” verse 3, Horatio Spafford (1873). Public domain
