Blessed are the Meek
by John Moreland
Meekness is not something we hear much about in our present society and
culture. We live in a society which gives inordinate value to ingenuity and
being self assertive. By default we have come to define meekness as an
undesirable characteristic, something that the 'go-getters' and the 'earth
shakers' cannot afford.
In W. A. Vines New Testament Dictionary there is a statement concerning
meekness which deserves our attention here. The meaning of prautes (Grk.
Meek) "is not readily expressed in English, for the terms meekness,
mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness and pusillanimity to a greater or
less extent, whereas prautes does nothing of the kind."
The great leader Moses is referred to in Scripture as follows. (Num 12:3)
"Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face
of the earth." No one, knowing anything of the history of this man who led
the Children of Israel out of Egypt, can infer weakness or pusillanimity to
his character.
Another statement by W. A. Vines further defines the quality of meekness as;
Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and
self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast
down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.
It is evident that our Lord put great store in meekness as part of the
character of those who pleased the Lord, for He said, (Mat 5:5 KJV)
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Now this is not a
law by which we live, but a measure and manifestation of the life of Christ
within us. He identified Himself as such when He declared (Mat 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."
I believe meekness is part of that which comes out of the rest which is in
the Lord. Our Lord, in the preceding verse, connects this rest with
meekness. Let us define this rest and the basis for it.
It is my conviction that our rest in the Lord comes out of our trust in Him. Trust is defined as "firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character
of a person or thing." The word trust is found 134 times in as many verses
in the Bible. It is a hallmark in our relationship with the Lord. A lack of
trust in our God is to deny His integrity, ability and character. When we
fully trust Him, we come into His rest.
I am satisfied that trust, which manifests true rest, is the basis for one
of the greatest declarations penned in the New Testament. It is found in Romans 8:28-39.
(28) "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the
image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
(30) and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called,
these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(31) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is
against us?
(32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how
will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
(33) Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who
justifies;
(34) who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather
who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
(36) Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY
LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
(37) But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved
us.
(38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
(39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This passage begins in v. 28 with the phrase "and we know", and ends with
the resounding praise beginning in v. 38 which states "For I am convinced".
Let me add a final word from Vines as we define true meekness. It must be
clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and
commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is
that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord
was 'meek' because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. He
trusted God, He rested in the Father, and He was the example of meekness. The infinite resources of Christ's life are ours. Let us demonstrate His
life, His meekness in our walk, our faith, our relationships and our
calling. The blessing of meekness is that we shall inherit the earth!
May the Lord grant us more of His meekness that we may more fully represent
and manifest Him. Selah.
More Deep Thoughts by John Moreland
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