The Meek (Not what You May Think)

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:4, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

 

If I were to ask you to give me a Bible verse with the word “meek” in it, most likely you would tell me that the “meek” will inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5) The Psalmist had this to say about the meek: Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

 

Imagine that a whole new earth with an abundance of peace for those who are meek. I like the prospect of living in such a place for eternity, how about you? I wanna be meek!

But, who are the meek? I think the meek have gotten a bum rap in that we have relegated them to sissy’s who dwell in mamby pamby land! But that’s not what it means to be meek!

Let’s delve deeper into the meaning of meekness as we look at the first three beatitudes from the sermon on the mount and perhaps get a glimpse of the progression of a follower of Christ. Let’s see where “meekness” comes in.

 

First of all Jesus said in Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

So, in order to enter the kingdom of God, one must recognize their spiritual bankruptcy. In a sense we are spiritual beggars relying solely on the richness of the mercy of God.

 

Next: Mt 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

 

The mourners are those who recognize their sin and mourn over it, They have godly sorrow over their rebellion against God. This is called repentance.

 

 Next we have, Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

 

The meek are submissive indeed. In that they have submitted their lives to God. They acknowledge that He is on the throne of their heart and it is their desire for Him to rule their lives.

 

The first beatitude speaks of heartfelt inadequacy, the second speaks of repentance and the third is a realization of spiritual weakness that leads one to look to God for strength. We might rephrase it by saying, “Blessed are the surrendered.”

 

Meekness is not an absence of strength, only an absence of the strength of my flesh and a reliance on the omnipotence of God. Indeed, if I’m meek, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

 

More on meekness next time.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.