
KEY SCRIPTURE. Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
APPLICATION
Meekness (a type of humility) is something we rarely consider. It doesn't even register on our radar. We don't think about meekness, yet we all think we've got it!
BUT WITHOUT IT, we cannot obtain salvation nor deny ourselves as instructed by Jesus, nor can we submit to God's divine will or fully LOVE. Neither can we spiritually overcome, as God expects.
Meekness is the doorway to salvation, instruction & inheritance. Most of life's disruptions, breakdowns and disappointments come from a lack of this one foundation.
Let's not misinterpret meekness for weakness. It is not. The Bible is full of meek people who displayed great courage under pressure. No righteous king cowered from his task, nor prophets from their calling and conviction. The heroes of the faith were humbly bold in their righteous activities. Moses and Jesus, known for their meekness, threw down tablets and beat sinners out of the temple.
Meekness is "Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve."
In the Old Testament, the fragrant oil for the anointing of the priesthood was made of certain ingredients of a particular number. The nine fruit of the Spirit, when mature, becomes a fragrance to the New Testament priesthood—us!
How do we obtain meekness?
Christian self-denial—in arguments, in desires, in expectations. Every word, thought, and deed should reject pride and come under submission to the process of humility.
Patience, patience and more patience. In Exodus 23:40, God gives us some of the best advice for overcoming pride and other enemies of our faith. "By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, UNTIL thou be increased, and inherit the land." Deny yourself one win at a time in unnecessary arguments. These often come from pride or anger. Instead, choose to lose.
Don't worry if your steps are small. Many small steps get us to the mountaintop. Zechariah 4:10 "For who hath despised the day of small things?" We should recognize the value of our small steps rather than only hoping for large ones. As we walk in life, so we walk in the spirit. Our stride is no bigger than it is, but let's be found running.
What is our life like without Meekness?
Easily upset (mud in the lake just under the surface. A quick stir and it rises to the surface)
Trigger happy! We actually enjoy arguments and even think we are good at them. Therefore we find it hard to submit to God's desires.
Primary concern is justifying ourselves instead of edifying others
Cannot reason without arguments at home or work
Victim mentality. (everybody else's fault)
Dissatisfied with what God gives. (Like the wrong Israelites in the desert)
Proud, pushing ourselves forward instead of others,
Greedy/obsessed with having things or being 'someone'.
Without meekness, we are not nice people. Besides that, we cannot achieve the outcome of 1 Peter 5:5 without focussing on meekness. "All of you be subject one to another, clothed with humility." Clothed means fully covered, as in headship (our thoughts) and heartship (our feelings & desires).
What is our life like with meekness?
Mild temper with righteous anger.
Not easily provoked or irritated, but patient.
Submissive to divine callings without whining.
Voluntarily submissive to scripture. (Non-submission is our key problem).
Not resentful or bitter. Satisfied with what we have.
Servant mentality/servant leadership.
Not proud, argumentative or boastful at home, in groups, at work, on Facebook, etc.
Opposed to pride. Not covetous for anything.
Absolute LOVE for God and people.
Meekness allows us to become subservient to God's will, achieving His work.
God shows us an inkling of His opinion of meekness?
Meekness is a pathway set by God Himself.
Jesus received His meekness from God. John 5:19, "...I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." God wants us all to grow through being servants to become His sons. Therefore we must recognise we are in a process.
Jesus' meekness. Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Moses' meekness. Numbers 12:3, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."
Apostle Paul's meekness. 2 Corinthians 10:1, "Now, I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" Paul shows us from where he obtained his meekness: by following the sonship pathway of God's only begotten son, Jesus Christ.
Our meekness. Colossians 3:12, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
Meekness in Leadership, as Paul commands his sons in the faith, Timothy and Titus. 1 Timothy 6:11, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." & Titus 3:2, "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."
Each one of these took on the meekness of the Father, and look at their life's work.
God needs us to firmly understand how critical meekness is and how important it is to Him.
Psalm 147:6 "The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground."
Psalm 149:4 "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."
Isaiah 29:19 "The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;"
Psalms 37:11 "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves — in the abundance of peace."
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
As we see, meekness seems to be a doorway to peace, love, education and our inheritance, and many gifts and blessings.
PRAYER Dear Lord, I see I need meekness as much as anything on this earth. I still get involved in arguments and display anger. Please help me put on the full measure of meekness so I can be of the greatest assistance to your service.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez
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