November 13

Meekness Isn’t Weakness

[Elijah] requested for himself that he might die . . . And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat (1 Kings 19:4, 5, KJV).

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3-9

Song: “I Would Be Like Jesus”

Deeply influenced by his Christian mother and upbringing, Desmond Doss grew up believing in non-violence, but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the United States Army. Doss wanted to be a combat medic, saving lives rather than taking them and refused to pick up a weapon even in training. He asked and was granted permission to face the dangers of battle without any weapon to defend himself. During the Battle of Okinawa, he remained in an exposed area while the rest of his unit retreated to safety. Working alone under enemy fire, he personally saved the lives of 75 men, for which he was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extreme valor. Courageous yet peaceable, Doss exemplified the gentle warrior.

Running for his life from Queen Jezebel, a fearful Elijah showed signs of depression, but notice how very gently Almighty God treated him. Providing for his needs, the Lord would speak quietly, comforting His prophet and encouraging him to go on. Though Exodus 15:3 calls the Lord “a man of war,” Israel’s great warrior, King David, also said of God: “thy gentleness hath made me great” (2 Samuel 22:36, KJV). Meekness is not weakness, and the Lord is a gentle role model worthy of our emulation.

Father, the better I come to know You, the easier it is to trust You. Please, make me patient, gentle and kind as You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.