Connecting During DeploymentSample

The Paradox of Power and Tenderness

You’ve probably seen photographs of soldiers, fully armed and prepared for battle, yet talking gently with children on a foreign street. Or carrying babies to safety . . . or holding a puppy . . . or protecting innocent civilians from harm.

That paradoxical combination of power with tenderness is not difficult to find in our military today. And isn’t this the character of Jesus—total power, yet total tenderness, compassion and humility? He speaks of himself in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The creator of the universe is living in submission on this earth, even to death on a cross.

God’s power is described in Isaiah 40:10-11, but we find a similar passage in Psalm 89:13-14: “You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.”

Military men and women, and their families, demonstrate the attributes of the character of God daily—honor, courage, strength, sacrifice, patience, justice . . . and power with tenderness. In fact, the fury they inflict on the enemy is rivaled only by the compassion they demonstrate daily with innocents in countries around the world. 

The pictures we see of humanitarian efforts extended by our nation’s strongest and best are reminders of our Savior who, in His absolute power, sacrificed everything for us. Colossians 1:13-14 tells us that Christ “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

1. Recall a photo image or personal experience when an act of tenderness accompanied the presence of great power.

2. How does the prayer from Ephesians 3:16-19 express the power of God demonstrated in tenderness? 

Listen to Pastor Tony Evans talk about the different names of God and the powerful meaning behind them.