Blessed Are The Meek. 10/01/2014 (Evening thought)

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

This passage of scripture, being spoken by Christ, pronounces a blessing on those who have become meek through the transforming grace and power of God. The meaning of the word meek is to be quiet and gentle, not disposed to fights or strife with others, and willing to follow Christ wherever He leads, and also willing to be corrected, nurtured and sustained by Him. All of these and other similar meanings are included in the word meek.

However we must be aware that human nature is not naturally meek and yielding, because within each of us is a natural desire to fight for our rights, or to retaliate when we are interfered with or treated disrespectfully. Even Moses, who is described as being the meekest man who ever lived, was not naturally quiet and gentle, for at times when his anger was stirred for legitimate reasons, he sometimes displayed fury which at one time resulted in the death of an Egyptian who was found persecuting a fellow Hebrew. Let's read:

Exodus 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

However, through a deep and abiding relationship with God, Moses finally learned the valuable lesson of self control in all places and at all times, so that when he was told by God that he could not enter Canaan on account of his outburst of anger at the complaining Israelites, he humbly submitted himself to God, even though he had long looked forward with earnest anticipation to entering the goodly land.

Moses' own experiences and the example of the meek and lowly Jesus, contain very important lessons for the Christian, for there are times when our rights are violated, and like Moses, we are tempted to retaliate or seek revenge for personal wrongs done to us. when instances like these occur, let's remember that God has pronounced a blessing on those of us who choose to go against our own grain, by submitting ourselves to the wise instructions and guidance of The Living God, and thus, if we follow in the footsteps of Christ when He was ill treated and maligned, we too will be partakers of the promises made to the meek who shall one day inherit the earth.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to cultivate this godly characteristic as a tender plant, for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit is promised to all who cooperate with God in this area. Let's read:

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink" .......... 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of the truth, for practice does make perfect. "Good night" and God bless!