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 THY GENTLENESS HATH MADE ME GREAT 

 "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. -Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath  holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip." [Psalm 18:32-33, 35-36].

             It is with much thanksgiving and praise to our blessed Lord that we behold the inworkings of His grace, and as the Spirit unfolds line upon line the truths reserved for this our day, that our understanding might be quickened to perceive more of His divine purpose. We marvel at "so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard. God also bearing witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will." [Hebrews 2:3-4]. It is true, as Jesus declared, that these things are still hid "from the wise and prudent, and art revealed unto babes." [Matthew 11:25]. For those who are considering themselves wise after this world's wisdom and theology are surely missing the mark of what God is actually doing today. But unto the "babes," those who are BEING BORN ANEW into the heavenly sphere, there is an unfolding of the secrets kept from ages past, and reserved for this very day.
            The indictment still stands, not for the purpose of condemnation, but more as an explanation of the facts, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge..." [Hosea 4:6]. Thus, "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people..." [Isaiah 60:2]. So also, we find that many "have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." [Romans 10:2-3].
            The Holy Spirit has been strongly emphasizing a passage found in 2 Thessalonians 2:4-13, as we see new evidences of this being fulfilled each day, and we read and hear of those "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. ─For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: ─and for this cause God shall send them strong (Greek, an inworking) delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
            "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." [Daniel 12:10].
            Jesus made it clear, in His parable of the "tares and the wheat," that both are growing together until the end, but as one draws near to harvest time, there is a distinction made between the two, and thus we see a more pronounced difference between the children of the kingdom, and the children of the wicked. With what boldness is unrighteousness being uncovered in this hour. The wicked shall do wickedly! The mystery of iniquity doth already work.  Yet those who have "their senses exercised to discern both good and evil," [Hebrews 5:14], will not be deceived, even though the subtleness of the deceptions are very great, "insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect." [Matthew 24:24].
            The self-aspiration, self-exaltation, self-promotion that is evIdenced In those who have forsaken the way of the cross, is another indication of how close to the end we are actually coming. The cup of iniquity is overflowing, and the harvest is nigh at hand. Consider for a moment how this overflowing, and this expanse of evil parallels the iniquity in its five-fold score as spoken of in Isaiah 14:13-14. Were this only to be found in the world, among the ungodly, it would possibly be expected, but how we shudder to think at what degree this is also found in religious systems.
            "FOR THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN…"
            This part of the root of iniquity underlies that whole realm of feverish acts by which man tries to raise himself to a more rarified atmosphere, be it the more carnal social climbing, club joining, or its religious counter-part of so-called church works. The emphasis is on "I WILL ASCEND," with all the self effort and exercise of the will of man. Thank God, THE CROSS OF CHRIST STRIKES DEEP INTO THE CORE OF THIS SELF-ASCENDENCY, while we learn that "it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment, and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through faith. And this salvation is not of your-selves ─of your own doing, it came not through your own striving ─but it is the gift of God. Not because of works (not the fulfillment of the Law's demands), lest any man should boast. ─It is not the result of what any one can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself. For we are God's own handiwork..." [Ephesians 2:8-10, Amplified].
            "So then God's gift is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. ─It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him."[Romans 9:16, Amplified].
            "I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD…"
            Herein lies the competitive drive to gain higher positions, and this not only drives deep into the whole system of worldly attainment, with its fierce competition, and the attempt to drag another down to elevate one's self, but, sad to say, it is very prevalent in the religious realm also. Ministers competing against each other, belittling another so as to try and shine greater themselves. Pitting their "gifts and abilities" against that of another, for getting entirely that it will be "the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." [Ephesians 4:16].
            "I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH..."
            How subtle is the working of the mystery of iniquity, with its attention seeking, desire to be looked at, listened to, and given recognition. Thus many are supposedly exercising the gifts of the Spirit, as they call it, while actually they desire to be seen and heard ─recognized as a spiritual person. They would sit high upon the mount of the congregation.
            "I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS..."
            Now we come to the iniquitous escape drive, seeking for pink clouds, trying to get away from facing the issues at hand, and thus truly overcoming. Perhaps much of this so-called "rapture teaching" is just apart of this desire to escape, rather than, by the grace of God, to overcome iniquity and to rightfully inherit the kingdom. This particular branch of iniquity feeds through the senses, the feelings, the emotions and the imaginations. Many try to find their escape in alcohol, dope, sex, sweets, music, food, brain-washing entertainment, etc., and the list might be enlarged to encompass many things. But, how many also still seek for "religious ecstasy" as a means of escapism, thrilling to the emotional spree, while they forget the way of the cross that is set before them, and seek to turn from the process which means death to all self, in every form of its "I will."
            I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH..."
            The drive to be recognized as "a god," they have to always be right, above others, to have their own way, to win every argument, and always be supported by a following which looks up to them as some great one. This so consumes them, that even if they have to proclaim themselves as gods, they will declare to be manifested sons, and make believe that they have spiritually arrived.
            In the midst of all this self-seeking and self-projection, as man manifests the same rudiments of iniquity as found in the fall of Lucifer, how refreshing to find that GOD HAS A REMNANT IN WHOM THE WAY OF THE CROSS HAS WORKED A DEEP WORK OF GRACE. These are being brought to that place where they know that it is not of their own works. "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." [Jeremiah 10:23].
            The Psalmist was keenly aware that it was GOD ALONE who could make his way perfect, and who could direct his steps upon the high places, and teach his hands to war so as to overcome. Yes, it was God's hand that upheld him, and who alone could make him great. In regards to this being upheld by God, Paul also states, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yes, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." [Romans 14:4].
            "The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth his hand." [Psalm 37:23-24].
            "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love Him." [Psalm 145:14-20].
            To God be the praise and glory! Even during those times of testing, when it seems that our feet are in slippery" places, and in ourselves we lose all sense of balance and would fall, yet the Lord upholds, and brings us through all of these upheavals, until once again our feet are firmly established in the way we should go. There is no condemnation for the "testing" which seems to turn us upside down, for it is planned by God for our own development, but HIS HAND IS THERE, He upholds, yes, and to those who call upon Him in truth, He gives the victory.  "They that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." [John 4:24]. May God deliver us from all ulterior motives─ so that we are not trying to call for help, and use His salvation for our own selfish ends. To "ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your own lusts (or, upon your own pleasures and over-desires)." [James 4:3].
            "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness." [Micah 7:7-9].
            The Lord will plead my cause, and execute judgment for me! We do reap what we sow! And we do bear the indignation of the Lord because we miss the mark betimes, but "He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust," therefore, "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him." and "the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." [Psalm 103:14,17,13]. He will plead our cause, He will execute judgment─ yet we fear not those judgments, because they are for our own correction and restoration into His righteousness. When it is understood that all of His judgments are administered IN LOVE, with purpose, for our correction and benefit, we are able to say with Jeremiah, "0 Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing (or, diminish me)." [Jeremiah 10:24].
            Yes, we can say again, THY GENTLENESS HATH MADE ME GREAT! The Lamsa translation gives for this phrase, "Thy discipline hath made me great." His judgments are executed for our discipline, for our correction, for our development. And while "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." [Hebrews 12:11]. Thus we are enriched, we are built up into His stature, we are settled, stablished, strengthened, and made rich in Him.
            Man's religious theology has certainly done a gross injustice to the nature and character of God, imputing wrong motives to His account, and charging Him foolishly. But the glad message still rings out, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." [Luke 2:14]. These words, "good will," actually come from the Greek word meaning KIND THOUGHTS. "For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." [Isaiah 55:8-9]. It is true that the end of all flesh has come, God shall deal with all unrighteousness, and subdue every part of the exalted "self-will" of His wayward creation. But, this subjection is not the end, there is a "nevertheless afterwards," when He shall make us great.
            "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." [Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified].
            "For the creation was subjected to frailty─to futility, condemned to frustration ─not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so," subjected it. Yet with the hope that creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption (and gain an entrance) into the glorious freedom of God's children." [Romans 8;20-21, Amplified].
            IT WAS GOD WHO SUBJECTED ALL CREATION TO THE BONDAGE OF VANITY. IT IS GOD WHO WILL ULTIMATELY RESTORE ALL CREATION UNTO HIM SELF AGAIN. "For God has allowed us to know the secret of His plan, and it is this; He purposes in His sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its  perfection and fulfillment in Him." [Ephesians 1:9-10, Phillips].
            "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men," or, as Rotherham translates this, "Thou turnest man to depression and sayest, Sons of Adam, return." [Psalm 90:3]. He who turned man to destruction, to the bondage of this present vanity, is also the same One who saith, "RETURN, YE SONS OF ADAM." And to enable us to return, He Himself became the WAY, as He provided the full means in our Lord Jesus Christ.
            Turning once again to our text phrase, "Thy gentleness hath made me great," we find that the word "gentleness" comes from the Hebrew word which actually means "humility." It was HIS HUMILITY that shall make us great, i.e. to become rich, or abundant in His fulness. And so the Amplified gives, "Your gentleness and condescension have made me great" While Moffatt blends in another thought; "Thine answers to prayers have raised me." How precious! Though we have no merit to claim any of His favours, yet when we call, He condescends to men of low estate, and He answers our prayer, yes, and He shall raise us up. We cannot raise ourselves up! We are not our own saviours! THIS WORK IS OF GOD! "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for HE hath torn, and HE will heal us; He hath smitten, and HE will bind us up. After two days will HE revive us: in the third day HE will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." [Hosea 6:1-2].
            Not only did God, as it were, push creation over the cliff, into the valley of futility, frailty, frustration, and, as one translator gives, into a seeming purposeless existence, but then HE descended into this same valley, condescending to our low estate, while He works His purpose rare, and then shall lift us back up into the glory of His presence, and we shall live in His sight. "To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." [2 Cor. 5:19].  For "when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption (placing) of sons." [Galatians 4:4-5] UNDER─ always we have been UNDER, under the law, under the circumstances, under the load, weighted down with sorrow and grief, under the curse, under the sentence of death─ under! But, blessed be His holy name, HE partook of this "under" with us, that He might raise us up, to live ABOVE, triumphant over this whole present system.
            To all those who would exalt themselves, who "have become vain in their imaginations, till their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." [Romans 1:21-22], for them is reserved the same pit as was spoken of to Lucifer, who once declared, "I WILL," and to whom it was said, "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." [Isaiah 14:15], to face the judgment of that great day.
            But for those who will "humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." [1 Peter 5:6]. These shall find that the super-abundance of His grace is given unto them, and they shall be rich indeed. "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." [John 1:16].
            "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." [2 Corinthians 8:9]. THY HUMILITY HATH MADE ME GREAT!
            As in the Old Testament we have the word "gentleness" meaning "humility," so also in the New Testament, when Paul writes, "I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." [2 Cor. 10:1]. Rotherham gives, "Through the meekness and considerateness of Christ."
            "Made Himself of no reputation (Greek, emptied Him-self), and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." [Philippians 2:7-8].
            Here is the humility that shall make us great─ that we, through His poverty might be rich. Into the midst of our humiliation and bondage of vanity Christ descended, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same that through death He might destroy (make of none effect) him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ─For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." [Hebrews 2:14-15,18].
            There is a way into the Holiest Place to ascend into the hill of the Lord, to stand with the Lamb on mount Zion, but it is not the way of "self-ascension," of our own works or attainments, nor of our own carnal proclamations. Many would try to teach a doctrine of "claiming it by faith," but this very subtlely causes man to reach out by his own will and seek to appropriate something. Ah, the mystery of iniquity doth already work. ONLY
THROUGH THE INWORKINGS OF GOD, AS WE SUBMIT, AS WE ABANDON OURSELVES UNTO HIM, SHALL WE RISE UP TO WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT. God forbid that we try to drag the glory of the spiritual down into this flesh realm, to defile it with our own self-will.
            "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [Ephesians 2:8]. It is through faith, HIS FAITH, that we are able to live pleasing in His sight. To call for His help, is to receive help, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." [Romans 10:13].
            "From sinking sands, He lifted me, with tender hands, He lifted me,
            "From shades of night to planes of light, 0, praise His name, He lifted me."
            That, "according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." [1 Corinthians 1:31]. Yes, praise His wonderful name, His bountiful measures of grace and love shall undergird this triumphant way, and we shall be able to say, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." For He "redeemeth thy life from destruction; and crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies." [Psalm 103:4].
 
 

THY GENTLENESS HATH MADE ME GREAT
  
'Tis not through man's promotion, exalting of his frame,
Nor of the vaunted ego a-seeking for acclaim, ─
The self-appropriation theologies proclaim.
The will of man attaineth not the things of God,
Nor yet availeth any in changing of this clod.
To dust thou art returning, frail creature of the sod.
When God in divine purpose did cast into the vale
Of vanity's corruption, creation felt the gale
Of fear and deep frustration, while covered with a veil.
No way for a returning was found, and so the quest
Through ages was continued, man searching for his rest.
The carnal mind was active, Gods purpose to contest.
Into this vale of sorrow our blessed Saviour came,
Partook of all our weakness, did bear our load of shame,
Till faced with death's own process, in vict'ry overcame.
And by His resurrection He opened up the way
Creation is returning into the light of day.
IN HIM to find the answer, redemption from decay.
It was His own descending─ His act of sov'reign grace,
That wrought our great salvation, prepared for us a place,
And promised restoration for every tribe and race.
Abolish fleshly striving, 'tis God who works within
The process of transition by His true discipline ;
Till born of God completely we shall not, cannot sin.

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(1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris. THE TRIUMPHANT WAY!. (now out of print), Boise, Idaho 83705}

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