“Your gentleness has made me great” (Ps. 18:35 NKJ).
Part One
As used here in this verse, the word gentleness has a variety of definitions all with great possibilities of application. In the original Hebrew, the word translated gentleness is anavah (an-aw-vaw’). Its definitions are:
Condescension: God stoops to view the skies and bows to see what angels are doing. David ascribes all his own greatness to the condescending goodness and graciousness of his Father in heaven.
Correction: “The Anglican Book of Common Prayer” renders this verse: “…Your loving correction shall make me great.” Our Lord’s fatherly discipline is designed to better our lot in life.
Help: “…Your help makes me great.” This interpretation stresses God’s providential care for His own. Providence is a firm ally of the saint, helping them in their service of the Lord.
Goodness: David experienced many deliverances as a result of God’s goodness to him. He always ascribed goodness, not to himself, but to the Lord God.
Lowliness: “…Your humility has made me great.” To see Jesus is to see the Father. Since Jesus was meek and lowly (not arrogant or conceited), we can know that the Father is also lenient, gentle, and condescending. It is this patience, forbearance, clemency, and condescension of God that makes good men into great men.
Enlightenment: The Chaldee language version of this verse reads: “…Your word has increased me.” It is the entrance of God’s Word into our inner man that illumines to us all the benevolent and gentle attributes of our Creator.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.