Friday, October 9, 2009
Gentleness Hath Made Me Great
(Psalm 18:35-45)
The words of Psalm 18 explode from the heart of a young warrior! David knew what it was to trust God through defeat and to praise God in victory. He had his ups and downs, his wins and losses, his depressions and triumphs. But, through it all, David maintained the heart of a warrior.
Today’s portion expresses David’s warrior heart in no uncertain terms. He testifies of pursuing and wounding his enemies (37, 38). He speaks of the dust of the battlefield (42) and the submission of the vanquished (44). Yes, David had the heart of a warrior. And, even in gentler times, his warrior heart beat strongly just under his psalmist skin.
With such a heart for battle, it’s surprising that David did not ascribe his personal greatness to campaigns fought and won. Though others looked at the score sheet (and early compared it to that of King Saul), David knew greatness does not lie in bloodshed and death.
To what did David ascribe his own greatness? The answer is couched in verses dripping with battle imagery. Notice the last phrase of verse 35, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” In essence David was saying, “Though I’ve fought and won many a battle; my stature is not determined by fighting. My stature is determined by gentleness.” David was a unique character—one with a “tough hide” and a “tender heart.” He knew when to fight; and he knew when to pray. He knew when to employ the sling; and he knew when to take up the quill. You see, it’s not the fight that makes a man great. It’s the ability—after the battle is done—to manifest the gentleness of God that determines a man’s true greatness.
