Praotes 1

Isaiah 40:11

Our mission trip to the orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was a wonderful success. We were able to do much good for the children and the workers, and we return with many good memories, and many painful ones. One observation that almost every person makes when visiting the orphanage is that the children are desperate for attention. They all want to be picked up and held, even the older children. They need to have that human touch, that expression of gentleness.

William Barclay’s commentary states that the Greek word for “gentleness” is praotes (prah-OH-tays) and is “the most untranslatable of words.” It is defined as being submissive to the will of God, being teachable, and being considerate.

What image of God is given in today’s passage? How is God’s gentleness expressed?

From the weakest to the strongest, from the youngest to the oldest, we are all in need of God’s tender mercy. We all need those moments of gentleness, where we are cared for, protected, and wrapped in the safe arms of the Father.

But like all else, we are not to simply stop there, receiving the comfort of God’s gentleness and being content. We must go from this place of safety and express God’s gentleness ourselves, lifting up those who have fallen, leading those who are lost.

Gentleness may seem like the least of the qualities, the least of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. Yet it is one of the most demanding.

To live out gentleness we must submit completely to God – and this is a difficult thing to do, requiring effort and sacrifice. We must become teachable – that is, we must allow ourselves to be led and controlled by God. And finally, we must express the tenderness of loving others through our considerate acts of love.

Gentleness is not being idle and docile. It is being active in expressing kindness and love, active in giving comfort, active in serving others. As the shepherd gathers his sheep, as Jesus has gathered each of us, we also must gather up the hurting and lost. God’s love expressed through our love should be given in an attitude of gentleness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who needs expressions of gentleness from you?