Words of Worship: Gentleness

gentleness (noun) - the quality or state of being gentle; especially mildness of manners or disposition

Synonyms: affability, kindliness, personableness, sweetness

Antonyms: callousness, hard-heartedness, insensitivity, sternness

In today's culture, gentleness can often be seen as a weakness that opens people up to being hurt, manipulated, or mocked. However, this quality is named by Paul in Ephesians as a Fruit of the Spirit for a reason. Jesus was incredibly gentle, and it didn't make Him weak - it made Him someone people craved to be around. Gentleness does not mean you are a doormat with no morals or means to defend yourself, it means that you deeply and truly care for and love others the way Christ did, which is exactly what we as His followers are called to do. God the Father is inconceivable gentleness and righteous wrath all at once, which doesn't make sense to a human mind but it doesn't have to because it's something that makes Him uniquely Him. I know He has to remind me frequently that it's ok to be gentle and vulnerable, and that I don't have to put up walls because He will protect me.

Today's post has seven songs about gentleness along with Scripture references that I was led to with each entry. All Scripture passages are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

Drenched in Love by Bethel Music & Daniel Bashta ft. Harvest (written by D. Bashta, J. Silverberg, M. Armstrong)

Featured on Bethel's 2019 live album Victory, this is a joyful, declaratory song that sings of both God's love and gentleness that we experience as a part of His family. Worship leader Daniel Bashta sings lyrics of how not even death can part us from the Father after He washes us in His blood. His gentleness and love are priceless, precious, and powerful.

I was buried deep with Christ my Lord/Now I'm raised to life forevermore/My name's been carved upon Your heart/No not death, no not hell could ever keep us apart/We're singing oh, precious is the flow/That makes me white as snow/No other fount I know/I am washed, I am washed, I am drenched in love

I Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

How Can It Be by Lauren Daigle (written by J. Johnson, J. Ingram, P. Mabury)

Featured on Daigle's 2015 album How Can It Be, this song is a beautiful reminder of the gentleness that comes with God's grace. After His death on the cross and His resurrection three days later, Jesus sits at the Father's right hand to advocate for us and wash us of our sins. He sees and knows everything we've done, both good and bad, and still looks us in the eyes and calls us His friend and His child.

I've been hiding/Afraid I've let You down, inside I doubt/That You still love me/But in Your eyes, there's only grace now/You plead my cause, You right my wrongs/You break my chains, You overcome/You gave Your life to give me mine/You say that I am free, how can it be, yeah/How can it be, yeah

I John 2:1-2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins - and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Dreams by Mosaic MSC (written by J. Goss, C. Pimentel, R. Ahloka)

Featured on Mosaic's 2020 live album HUMAN, this is one of my favorite songs from this worship team. The lyrics speak of Jesus accepting us in our current state, no matter what that may be, when we cry out to Him for salvation. He gently wraps us in His arms and begins to walk with us, showing us what it's like to live like Him and have our lives completely and fully transformed by Him.

Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am/Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am/Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am/Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am/All the blessings I've received/You gave me more than I could dream/You didn't stop where I could see/I don't deserve this love/I don't deserve this love

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

How Beautiful by Mosaic MSC (written by J. Smith, M. McManus, A. Figueroa)

Featured on Mosaic's 2016 live album Glory & Wonder, this is another favorite of mine from this group. This song, as the title suggests, is a beautiful anthem of God's gentle mercy and the hope and joy we receive in return. Our human selves don't deserve His mercy, and He could easily be harsh with us in His correction, but His mercy is a gift that He freely gives us purely out of love.

You are my reward, treasure of heaven/You are my supply, now and forever/And all my hope and all my joy/Is found in You/Oh your mercy rushing through me/Oh how beautiful, how beautiful/Love amazing, Your love has saved me/Oh how beautiful, how beautiful

Titus 3:5 …he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Never Stop by Mosaic MSC (written by C. Frantz, M. McManus)

Also featured on 2016's Glory & Wonder, we are just on a roll with some of my all time Mosaic faves. When we walk alongside Jesus, we begin to crave the things He loves, and a gentle heart is one of those things. With Him as our mentor and example, we can learn to love others the way He does, with gentle mercy and lots of grace - something that is in no way simple to do, but also not impossible.

I don't know where I'm going/But I know that I'm chasing after You/And in every moment/You are the One that I look to/I will never stop loving You/I will never stop loving You/Never found a love so true/I will never stop loving You/I will never stop loving You/I will never stop loving You/Never found a love so true/I will never stop loving You

Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Tremble by Mosaic MSC (written by A. Figueroa, H. Bentley, M. McManus, M. Fieldes)

Our final Mosaic song today is arguably the main attraction of 2016's Glory & Wonder, and is still an absolute banger even after seven years. The God who can halt a storm and call long dead bones back to life, powers that humans can only describe as supernatural, loves us. He makes the darkness quake with fear, but He lays His hand on our heart to still our tremors of fear, anxiety, and doubt while gently reminding us that we are His and no one can take us from Him.

Peace, bring it all to peace/The storm surrounding me/Let it break at Your name/Still, call the sea to still/The rage in me to still/Every wave at Your name/Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble/Jesus, Jesus, You silence fear/Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble/Jesus, Jesus

Job 5:11 He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.

Holy by North Point Worship ft. Seth Condrey (written by H. Balltzglier, K. Lee, P. LaRue, S. Condrey)

Featured on North Point's 2017 live EP Nothing Ordinary, Pt. 1, our final song today is another hymn of joy singing of the greatness of the Lord. With vocals from worship leader Seth Condrey, the lyrics declare how God created the mountains and the seas and still cares for us above nature. He delights in us, His creation made in His image, and wants us to love Him right back and seek out a meaningful, fulfilling relationship with Him.

The earth cannot contain its joy/So mountains were born, mountains were born/The sea cannot contain its praise/The mighty waves roar, the mighty waves roar/All of creation singing the same song/One hallelujah to You and You alone/Holy, holy to the One who scattered the stars/Holy, holy to the One who holds every hearts/All of our praise all for Your name/With creation, we sing along, holy, holy

Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

I hope these songs bring gladness to your heart and enhance your time with the Lord these next few days. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!