Gentleness – A Daily Work, Part 4

Forbearance the Gentle Strength

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

The Gallup organization’s nationwide study indicated that gentleness is a virtue that is rarely demonstrated by non-Christians and Christians alike.  Another definition for moderation or gentleness is forbearance.  Forbearance is the ability to refrain from the enforcement of something that is due you.  David and his men were like a wall around Nabal’s shepherds and sheep both day and night.  They neither hurt Nabal’s shepherds nor took any of his sheep.  When David heard that Nabal was sheering his sheep, he sent young men to him in peace.  David asked that his young men would find favor in Nabal sight and that he would give him and his men anything he could find for them.  Now, Nabal was a fool as his name indicated.  He was evil and full of folly.  Instead of giving David what was due him, he railed against David and refused to give him bread, water, and meat for his men.  Learning of Nabal’s evil doings, Abigail, his wife met David with an abundance of provisions and pleaded with him not to kill Nabal and all of his men servants.  At Abigail’s request, David exercised forbearance and did take from Nabal nor kill him.  This type of forbearance is divinely inspired by the LORD and can only be acted upon by faith.  It is a mature powerful strength that trusts the LORD when He promised that vengeance is His; He is the ONE who will repay.  The next day when Abigail told Nabal of her actions to avoid his and his servants demise, he had a heart attack and died.  It is truly profitable to let your moderation be known to all men through exercising gentle strength in the LORD.

Scripture References: I Samuel 25; Proverbs 29:11; Romans 12:19

Prayer for today:  Father, help me to exercise forbearance as needed.  In JESUS name, AMEN.

Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that.  Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.

Love

Dianne