“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Too often our culture interprets meekness as spineless, ineffective weakness. Some think a meek person can't stand up to anyone and is a doormat to the world. In our society, the meek are often seen as easily taken advantage of, while we marvel at the mighty and the successful. You certainly don't want to appear meek when confronting someone like Putin.
We are influenced by the world's idea that big and strong is good and foolish and weak is bad. The Bible says “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (2 Corinthians 1:27.) The secret behind Samson was not his muscles but the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is perfected in weakness”.
Meekness and weakness are not the same. Aristotle described meekness as a balance between extremes, anger at the right time, never at the wrong time or in the wrong way. It is a sense of moderation with a spirit of seeking others’ good more than one’s own. In our culture, another term might be yielding or controlling one’s emotions.
One in a position of being yielded to God seeks the Spirit’s control of his passions and desires. When we admit our weaknesses, we don't have to prove anything to anyone; we only need to acknowledge our dependance on God. Recognizing the truth about ourselves and the completeness of Christ, the Lord grants us His wisdom and strength.
Jesus exemplified meekness in the garden when He prayed, “Lord not my will but Thine be done”. Yet, He also had the strength to stand against His accusers and attackers, confident in His Father’s will.
A meek person is controlled, gentle, and forgiving. This is the character of Jesus and He wants us to be like Him. Someone who is even-tempered can answer respectfully and disagree without reacting impulsively. He is not easily provoked, does not seek revenge and who is generally very willing and eager to forgive others.
In 1 Corinthians 6:12 Paul says, “Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. I will not be mastered by anything.” A meek person knows their shortcomings and will freely admit that they don't have all the answers. Romans 12:3 states, “Do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourselves with sober judgment.”
A meek-spirited person, trusting God, shall inherit the earth. Notice, the meek do not take the earth by force, but the inheritance comes as a gift promised by another. To inherit the earth means to have great influence on others and to enjoy and experience the things of this earthly life to the fullest.
Scripture is clear that during the millennial reign, a new kingdom order will be ushered in. We shall reign with Him eternally. Because we trust Him, we commit to our anxieties, frustrations, plans, relationships, jobs, and health to Him. We wait patiently for the Lord to act, trusting His timing, power, and grace to work things out in the best way for His glory and for our good.
Application: “Give Up and Let God”.
Prayer: Oh Lord, that I might think of myself with sober judgment, trust you and consider others that in all, You would be gloriied.
