Hi and welcome to another episode of perspective for today. I have tried to make this a weekly podcast. I’m not going to make excuses for why it’s not, but rather I am going to continue to move forward and do what God has called me to do. I’m just going to brush myself off, pick myself up and look to the cross. So today we pick up where we left off with our study of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The word meek does not mean that you are “weak,” rather it can be interpreted as “gentleness,” or a refusal to take control by brute force or manipulation.
This verse comes from Psalm 37:11.
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
So why are the meek blessed?
Jesus promises that they will inherit the earth. This may seem like an odd promise to make to those who are humble and gentle, but it is actually a very important one. In the Bible, the phrase “inherit the earth” is often used to describe the coming of the Kingdom of God. This promise means that those who are meek will be part of God’s kingdom and will share in His blessings.
When we came to salvation we gave up our rights.
The need to be in control no longer was our desire. We began to seek God’s desire for our lives. When we live in total submission to God, then we have peace in abundance. Even in our meekness we can have the strength and fortitude to see us through the most trying of times. There are many examples of humble saints who through their meekness became shining examples for Christ.
Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, never held his brothers in contempt, but forgave them for their transgression. Genesis 37:18-36
Joseph was thrown into prison after being falsely accused of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. Yet Joseph was not bitter and humbly accepted his fate.
Genesis 39:21-23 ESV – But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.
Joseph was content with whatever situation he was in. He looked to the Lord for his strength.
Paul exemplified what meekness truly means in the following verses.
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Paul really leaned on the Lord to see him through all of life’s difficulties.
How many of us lean on the Lord when things get hard? Do we seek him or do we seek comfort in worldly pleasures? If we really want to be content in any circumstance then we need to press in to the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. It’s easy to throw in the towel and just give up. But if our faith is all that we say it is then we can be content no matter what comes our way.
One of the most powerful examples of meekness in the Bible is the story of Jesus Himself.
He was the Son of God, with all the power and authority that came with that title. Yet he chose to come to earth as a humble servant, to live among the poor and the outcast, and to give his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
In Philippians 2:5-8 Paul wrote Philippians 2:5-8 ESV – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew when they came to arrest him that he could have called 12 legions of angels to rescue him.. But he didn’t do it, instead he humbly accepted his fate.
If the Creator of the universe can humble himself to the point of death, we should willingly surrender our lives to Christ’s care and control.
He paid our debt and we are indebted to Him. He truly did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Americans are a proud bunch.
They take pride in their achievements and boast about their possessions and wealth. But to what end? When all is said and done, none of it matters. We all have an expiration date and when we leave this earth there is no doubt that we will account for all the things that we put ahead of God.
There’s a lot of truth to the proverb that pride comes before the fall. So what do we gain from our meekness or humility?
Proverbs 22:4 ESV – The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
This tells us that everything we were seeking through our prideful selves, can be obtained through our humility. It is that fear of the Lord or the reverence and awe of almighty God that causes us to come to Him with a humble heart.
In our humility we should always seek to put others ahead of ourselves. Remember, it’s not all about you.
Philippians 2:3 NKJV – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Be that good and faithful servant and put the needs of others ahead of your own. Reach out and touch someone, with the love of Christ.
This concludes today’s lesson.
As always I’d like to thank you for listening and may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it. Let’s just go to the Lord in prayer.