Thursday, January 3, 2013

Meekness is not Weakness


Matthew 5:5
"How blessed are the meek! For they will inherit the Land!

We know that Jesus came to show us what an authentic relationship with God looked like.  It is one that is not marred with works void of love, it is not one that relays on our righteousness but that dependent upon the Righteousness of Christ alone, and it is not one that is dependent with our understanding of the scripture but it is dependent upon God’s Word and His Spirit.

We also know that we are not filled with JOY! when we sin, instead we mourn over sin and the sin of this world.  But we find comfort in Jesus because we know that He is faithful and just to forgive us.  We know that we are not condemned and walk in His Grace and Mercy.  We also know though this world decay’s in sin, the Lord Will’s will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  We know that one day we will dwell with Jesus for all eternity and worship Him forevermore.

The Lord makes us another promise that those who are meek will inherit the Land!  But what does it look like to be meek?  And who are the meek? And what does inherit the Land mean?  How do I live a life of meekness for the Lord? 

To be meek is to be like Noah, who obeyed the Lord and built an ark (Hebrews 11:7) despite those around him who lived and enjoyed a life of sin (Genesis 6:9-12). Instead of yielding to the sin around him, Noah decided to live a righteous life before God. To be meek is to be like Abraham and Sarah who trusted God at His Word and was willing to go wherever the Lord desired to send them.  Abraham desired to be with the Lord and looked forward to a city whose builder and architect was God (Hebrews 11:9-12).  To be meek is to be like Moses who desired to please God rather than enjoy the pleasures of this world (Hebrews 11:23-28).  These people did not hold onto this world and it’s pleasures.  They grabbed hold to something more and something greater.  They gladly let go of their life and ways in order to embrace the Father.  They lost their lives so that they may find it.  They viewed eternal life with God more precious than life here on Earth.  They would inherit a land or a prize for greater than what the world could offer (Hebrews 11:13-16).  These people gladly suffered for their beliefs, joyful accepted God’s Will, and unashamedly spoke the truth in love.  These great men and women of faith considered their present suffering to be far outweighed by a future glory.   

The Lord reserved the promise for them and for us (Hebrews 11:39-40).  The Lord made it clear that the meek are those who lived a faith based life.  To be meek is to humble yourself to Jesus and accept His Direction and Instruction for your life.  To be meek is to know that God’s will is greater than yours.  To be meek is to understand that you will endure suffering for Jesus but that this suffering is far outweighed by a future glory in Jesus (Romans 8:18).  To be meek is to do the Lord’s Will and bring glory to His name.

The meek are content with whatever circumstances they are currently in because they know through the Lord’s Strength, His Purpose will be accomplished (Philippians 4:11-13). So the meek are strong and weak.  The meek are righteous only because of they rely on the Righteousness of Jesus (Romans 3:23-24).  This is why they will inherit land because they seek to please the Lord and to know Him.  And we friends are the meek.

So I implore you to humble yourself by seeking the Lord’s Way over your way.  I encourage you to walk away from sin and live a life that pleases the Lord (Hebrews 12:1).  We can boldly share the gospel and speak truth to our friends, associates, and colleagues.   We can be an example of righteous living like Noah was to those around him.  We can be example of trusting God like Abraham.  And we can be an example of standing up for God instead of partaking in sin like Moses.  Because we are meek and will inherit the land!  Stay focused, you can do this!

In His JOY!

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