Gentle Leading
The Lord leads us gently, taking into account our limitations and weaknesses, and trusting in His goodness and love.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the compassionate and thoughtful leadership of Jacob towards his cattle and children, ensuring they were not overdriven but led softly according to their ability to endure. He draws parallels to how the Lord Jesus, who has gone before us, knows the challenges and struggles of the journey we face, leading us gently and lovingly through uncharted territories. Cowman emphasizes that Jesus, who was wearied with His journey and understands our weaknesses, will never push us beyond what we can bear, strengthening us for each step or providing a sudden halt when needed.
Text
"I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure" (Gen. 33:14).
What a beautiful picture of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children! He would not allow them to be overdriven even for one day. He would not lead on according to what a strong man like Esau could do and expected them to do, but only according to what they were able to endure. He knew exactly how far they could go in a day; and he made that his only consideration in arranging the marches. He had gone the same wilderness journey years before, and knew all about its roughness and heat and length, by personal experience. And so he said, "I will lead on softly." "For ye have not passed this way heretofore" (Josh.3:4.).
We have not passed this way heretofore, but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untrodden and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all by personal experience. The steep bits that take away our breath, the stony bits that make our feet ache so, the hot shadeless stretches that make us feel so exhausted, the rushing rivers that we have to pass through--Jesus has gone through it all before us. "He was wearied with his journey." Not some, but all the many waters went over Him, and yet did not quench His love. He was made a perfect Leader by the things which He suffered. "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He is remembering all the time; and not one step will He make you take beyond what your foot is able to endure. Never mind if you think it will not be able for the step that seems to come next; either He will so strengthen it that it shall be able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you shall not have to take it at all. --Frances Ridley Havergal
In "pastures green"? Not always; sometimes He
Who knowest best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.
So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where
The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.
--Barry
Sermon Outline
- I. Gentle Leading in Times of Uncertainty
- A. Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and children
- B. Jesus' personal experience in leading us
- II. The Lord's Knowledge of Our Frame
- A. He remembers that we are dust
- B. He will not lead us beyond what we can endure
- III. Trusting in the Lord's Gentleness
- A. He will strengthen us for the next step
- B. He will call a halt if necessary
Key Quotes
“He was wearied with his journey. Not some, but all the many waters went over Him, and yet did not quench His love.” — Charles E. Cowman
“He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” — Charles E. Cowman
“So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We should trust in the Lord's gentleness and remember that He will strengthen us for the next step.
- We should not be afraid to ask for help when we feel overwhelmed or uncertain.
- We should remember that the Lord knows our frame and will not lead us beyond what we can handle.