April 10, 2026 Devo

April 10th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
“Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” – Isaiah 40:10-11 (NLT)
“A Powerful Gentleness”

My father was one of the most gentle men I’ve ever known. He was also the man I most feared growing up. I can still remember sitting in his lap and feeling as if it was the safest place on earth. I can also remember the panic I felt when he came home after I’d done something I shouldn’t have done. Mom was a pushover. I could schmooze her or whine my way to getting what I wanted from her. Dad was like a rock. When he said, “No,” it was “NO.” He was a fearful model of power. He was also a wonderful model of gentleness.
I think that’s why this image of God that Isaiah paints is such an endearing picture for me. He speaks forcefully about the coming of God as a powerful King. He was to be respected. He was to be feared. He is a God of justice who will reward those who love and serve Him. But He is also a God of justice who will assuredly give evildoers their due.
But notice that Isaiah also describes Him as a Shepherd. Loving. Kind. Protective. Compassionate. “He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.” That is the ultimate picture of a Gentle Savior. Rugged, strong, and quite capable of handling all the animals and all the danger that might be encountered along the way. But tender in His touch and in His care of the lambs He carries.
Jesus also gave us a perfect picture of this. He was Grace and Truth. He was the embodiment of God’s justice as He overturned the tables in the Temple and drove the evildoers out with a whip. He was also the embodiment of God’s tenderness as He welcomed the children who came to Him and stood with those who were ostracized or shunned. Jesus described Himself as “gentle.” Some translations use the word “meek.” It actually means “strength under control.” Jesus knew how to exert His authority. He also knew how to demonstrate His love.
So let’s not presume for a moment that God doesn’t mean what He says. He does. They’re called “commandments,” not “suggestions.” He is a God of Truth and Justice who is not to be trifled with. But He is also a God of Grace and Compassion. If you need Him today, just call upon His name, and He will lift you up close to His Heart. He is a God of Powerful Gentleness. That’s God’s Word for you today.