Happy are the Meek

What is meekness?  A lot can be said about this one word, but let us try to synthesize it in a few paragraphs.   Meekness is the idea of a gentle disposition.  It is the way we react to the world around us.  It understands that because God is in control and we are His children, we can rest secure in who we are in relationship to who He is.

A meek person does not need to defend himself when accused.  He does not need to boast about his accomplishments to be esteemed.  He is not angry or bitter when circumstances go sideways.  Meekness understands God is in control.  It is an inner sense or joy that God is working all things out for the good and He is working for our “welfare and good,” not to bring us harm.

Meekness is not self-consumed, but consumed with the things of God.  It trusts in God, to bring us safely to the other side.  It is not self-reliant, but dependent on God for one’s direction in life.  The Apostle Paul exhibited this quality when he said in Galatians 2:2, “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” 

It understands that our worth and value in life is not in getting our own way, but walking and living according to God’s way.  Jesus of course becomes our primary example in the Bible for meekness.  He describes Himself as meek in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart.” 

Jesus helps us understand meekness when teaching His disciples in Matthew 20:27-28, “Whoever would be great among you, must be your servant and whoever would be first must be your slave.  Even as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many.”  

A person who is meek is not insecure, unsure of himself, or easily manipulated.  Though it would exhibit itself by gentleness with an unassuming manner, it is not because of fear or insecurity, but because of resting securely in what God has said about him… that we belong to Him, that we are His children and we have a great eternal future. 

One theologian describes meekness as “power under God’s control.”  The word in the original language has the idea of an ability to retrain oneself. Restraint from arrogance and other vices that stand between us and God.  It so understands its eternal position in Christ, it does not have to exert its own power beyond what God is asking.

Andrew Murray that great saint and missionary from the last century wrote this in his book on humility when speaking of meekness, “Men sometimes speak as if it would rob us of what is noble and bold and manlike. O that all would believe that this is the nobility of the kingdom of heaven, that this is the royal spirit that the King of heaven displayed, that this is Godlike, to humble oneself, to become the servant of all!”

When the world speaks of greatness it talks about accomplishments, intelligence, status, power, wealth, authority, and fame.  The meek concern themselves with none of those things.  Regarding intelligence, the meek can say with the Apostle Paul in I Cor 1:28, “God chose the lowly things of this world, the things that are not to bring about the things that are.” 

Regarding status, the meek can say with Philippians 3:7, “Whatever was to my gain I count as loss for the sake of Christ, indeed I count everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord.”  Concerning power, fame, and authority, the meek understand that the greatest among us are those who serve.  Regarding wealth, the meek stores up treasures in heaven, not on earth. 

Jesus turns our world upside down.  No, not the rich in spirit, but those who are poor in spirit.  No, not those who are giddy and happy in life, but those who mourn.  No, not those who are powerful and in control, but those who are meek, gentle, and understand the One who truly is in control.  Blessed are those who are meek, for they will inherit the earth.