Topics: Authority; Dependence on God; Discipline; Fear; Gentleness; Government; Grace; Help; Kingdom of God; Protection; Tenderness
References: Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 11:28–30; Romans 13:1–7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 12:11
“People want to be lightly governed by strong governments.” I read that a long time ago in a Wall Street Journal editorial, but it has stuck with me ever since.
You’ve wanted that since you were a small child. You wanted your dad to be big and strong and able to do anything you could think of—except that, when he dealt with you, it had to be with gentleness and tenderness. You wanted a policeman on the corner tough enough to handle any neighborhood bully but who would also hoist you to his shoulders and help you find your parents when you got lost in the crowd.
Lots of muscle with lots of restraint—there’s an innate yearning in almost all of us for that rare combination. When evil people rise up, we want a government with the clout to back them down. Yet we never want that clout turned on us.
People want to be lightly governed by strong governments because that’s how God governs. The omnipotent ruler of the universe is also the one who invites us tenderly: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
—Joel Belz, “Tender Toughness,” World (July 22, 2006)