Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Devotion
When most people hear the word “meek,” they think of weak. Yet this is not what Jesus is conveying here. According to commentator Matthew Henry, “The meek are those who quietly submit to God—who can bear provocation without being inflamed by it.” The meek are those who are able to return a soft answer even when provoked. They are blessed, for they are like Jesus. I have often heard that biblical meekness is “divine power under control.” Jesus displayed this kind of meekness in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was arrested. Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus. Peter actually cut off the ear of one of the guards. After healing the guard, Jesus said to Peter, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Oh, to have that kind of power! Yet we see Jesus exercising ultimate control over His power so that God’s will could be accomplished.
Biblical meekness is strength that is harnessed. Meekness is knowing where and when to exert your strength and knowing when and where to control it. This beatitude encompasses several of the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians chapter five: peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Meekness is not produced by self-effort but by the Spirit of God. Only the Holy Spirit can produce meekness in the heart of a yielded believer.
The promise here is that the meek will inherit the earth. The meek are not inheriting the earth right now. However, when Christ returns to set up His kingdom, the meek will inherit the earth. We know that Jesus will inherit all things from His Father; we also are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
Questions to Ponder:
Are you able to exercise self-control when provoked? Are you able to “turn the other cheek” when someone slaps you? Do you exhibit peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control in your life? Has this devotion helped shape your understanding of what biblical meekness is?
Prayer Points
- Worship the Lord as the meekest one you know.
- Praise God for being compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, full of peace.
- Confess your sins. Ask for forgiveness for times we have not submitted to God. Confess selfishness, pride, greed, compromise, self-centeredness, jealousy, greed, power, idols, etc.
- Ask God to grant you opportunities to exercise the power of the Holy Spirit.
Suggested Prayer
Eternal Father, You are full of love, compassion and patience. I praise You Lord for demonstrating over and over in Your word times when You exercised meekness. Thank You that are doing through me what You did while You were here on earth. Thank You for praying for Your enemies while on the cross. Thank You for blessing when You could have cursed. You could have called down legions of angels, but You didn’t. Your priestly heart chose to intercede for those who You had created so they could be with you forever. Help me Lord to yield to You and allow Your Holy Spirit to respond in and through me. As I am yoked with You Jesus, I ask You would demonstrate your power in and through me today. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.