READ Psalm 18:34–45. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 36 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, 44 foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.
TRUE GREATNESS. Amid the celebration of military prowess exercised in defense of David’s life against those sent into the wilderness to kill him is a remarkable statement—(literally) “your gentleness has made me great” (verse 35). The word comes from the word for “humble” or “meek.” It was the gentleness God exercised toward an imperfect human being that allowed David his success, and it was the gentleness God taught him through hard lessons over the years that, in the end, was his true greatness.12 Indeed, the height of the Lord’s greatness was revealed in his ability and willingness to become weak and die for us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you said that you are “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29)—but I so often am not. You were not concerned about your glory and reputation but I am. You never paid people back in anger but I do. Let your gentleness toward me make me gentle to others. Amen.