What to you gain by being meek?
Carol McClain
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matt. 5: 5)
At one time, I considered myself meek. I think I equated my yielding, ready-to-give-in nature as meek. As of late, I’ve seen all the places I’ve been arrogant: how I knew best how to write or edit or eat or exercise. (We won’t get into politics).
Wishy-washy isn’t meek.
As a matter of fact, two of the greatest men in the Bible are the only two who to whom this trait had been given.
The first was Moses.
Yep. You read that right. The man who confronted Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world, the Moses who parted the sea, talked with God as a friend was the first example of meekness. “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” Numbers 12: 3.
The second man, was Jesus. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle (meek in KJV, and according to the little footnote [a], gentle means meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11: 29).
I don’t need to elaborate on all Jesus did to demonstrate our misunderstanding of meekness. He turned over tables in the temple two times. He confronted the Pharisees. Walked on water (now that would make me brag).
Meek.
Although he is the God of Creation, Jesus bows to wash the disciples’ feet
The best definition I ever heard for the term meek was strength under control. A meek person is humble, gentle and self-controlled.
Submissive is another term. Submissiveness doesn’t mean to be like a dog who cowers on his back when any bigger animal comes around. You’re not to be a milquetoast. To be meek is to listen to those who have authority over you. Namely, God Almighty. You stand up for what is right, refuse to accept what is wrong, but you follow the Lord.
Meekness defies the world’s expectations. However, when you are meek, you will inherit that world. The world may be the new heavens and new earths promised in Isaiah 65: 17. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” We also find this promise in Revelation 21-22, Isaiah 66, and 2 Peter 3:16.
And no. Inheriting a future earth does not mean we lose out here–but that’s a blog for another day.
Be meek. Your reward is great.
Tangled Lives
Crystal Snow is the perfect example of meekness. Her sister, who is her best friend, is in love with Jesse. Crystal, too, loves him with all her heart. Never does she try to lure him from her sister Roxie. If no one ever loves Crystal herself, then that’s the way life is. She is beautiful, gentle, talented and meek.
Find out for yourself.
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Author Carol McClain
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Too often, my instant response, either mental or verbal, is: who would want to inherit the earth? Considering what we’ve done to God’s perfect creation, I suppose no one would want it AS IT NOW IS. We must look to the future, trusting God in His word promising a new heaven and a new earth. Your definition “strength under control” is excellent, whether it originates with you or someone else!