Once upon a time, there was a flock of sheep.  They lived in a dangerous place where wolves prowled and thieves stalked, but their shepherd was strong and alert and cared deeply for each of his sheep. One day he noticed that one was missing.  There were only ninety-nine of his one hundred sheep within sight.  Without hesitation, he started the search because he knew well the dangerous predicament a lone sheep would be in.  He anxiously scanned the wilderness for movement.  After hours of walking in the heat, he sees something in the distance.  He holds his breath.  Is it his sheep?  Is it alive?  Hurrying toward it, he is relieved to see that it moved when he called its name.  Do you think he scolded and slapped it when he got to it?  No, he lovingly scooped it up and laid it across his shoulders talking tenderly to it and rejoicing that he had found it.  He didn’t mind a bit carrying it all the way home.  In fact, he even threw a party to celebrate its rescue.  (Story from Luke 15:1-7)

Recently I suddenly realized I had gotten off track like that sheep.  I had been distracted by my own plans and busyness and had completely forgotten an important gift-giving occasion for a close family member.  I didn’t even notice until way past the date.  I felt terrible.  How had I been so self-centered?  (Ha!  Easy!)  I was beating myself up for being so thoughtless.  But that didn’t help the situation one bit.  Then I read about God being so patient that he is actually drawn to us when we mess up.  He comes to help us when we need him the most- when we’ve blown it.  I thought of that sheep who wandered away.  It doesn’t have to be a big sin that gets us off track.  Being consumed with our own plans and needs can pull us away, too.  I got so caught up in my own stuff that I didn’t care for my relative.  No matter how small or big our mess-up, God’s response is to come close and gather us up and bring us back.  He doesn’t yell at us, he doesn’t berate us as we do to ourselves.  He brings us back where we belong tenderly.  

We, humans, harbor suspicion about God.  We shrink back from him because we suspect that he is harsh, demanding, and angry with us for our wrongdoing.  But we need to heed what God says about himself, not what we assume about him.  We run out of patience with repeat offenders.  But God is patient.  He repeatedly begs wrongdoers to change their mind and their actions and return to him.  He warns, he begs, he pleads, he waits.  His deepest desire is to welcome the wayward home.  Only after all other avenues have been exhausted, will he bring punishment.  And even the punishment is intended to turn the wrongdoers back to him.

The prophet, Jonah, complained to God that he was too easy on bad people.  “I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.”. . . God’s answer was simple, “Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who don’t know their right hand from their left, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”  Jonah 4:2,11

God explained his plan to the patriarch, Abraham.  The present inhabitants of the land were going to be given more time to change their ways.  “After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”  Genesis 15:16. 

Job experienced God’s tenderness.  “You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.”  James 5:11   

David counted on God’s tenderness.  “He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.  The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”  Psalm 103:4,13

“Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.”  Psalm 40:11

Elijah was discouraged by the political and social decline of his country as they drifted away from God. He gave up trying to help them and ran away in defeat.  God kindly met him in his depression not with force, but with gentleness.  “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”  1 Kings 19:11-13

Our King didn’t come to save us on a warhorse wielding military power.  Instead, he came in the power of humility and gentleness.  “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.”  Zechariah 9:9. 

The Lord Jesus described himself this way, “. . .  I am humble and gentle at heart. . .”  Jesus in Matthew 11:29
Paul, who had done horrible things, found out by personal experience what Jesus is like, “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul”. 2 Corinthians 10:1

God is our example.  If he is so gentle and tender with us when we fail, shouldn’t we extend the same to others?
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32
“God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:8
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”  Colossians 3:12
“Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”  1 Peter 3:8
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.”  James 3:17

This week when we mess up let’s remember the tenderness and gentleness of God toward us. He isn’t sighing with disgust when we blow it.  He’s coming especially close because we need him most in our weakness.  His heart is drawn to us in the mess we made.  And let’s work on being patient and gentle with those who fail us.