Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
When you hear the word meek, what kind of person do you imagine? In the world today, the meek are often portrayed as weak, doormat type personalities. The aggressive and assertive are portrayed as strong and dominant. But, meek is not cowardly. Meek is gentle. Meek is humble. But meek is not weak.
Consider Moses in the Old Testament. Do you picture him as weak and powerless? This is the man who went toe to toe with Pharaoh. This is the man who led the whiny Israelites through the wilderness for forty years. This is the man who raised his staff and the Red Sea parted.
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3
Moses did not lack courage. In fact, he often advocated for the Israelites in the Presence of God. When God told Moses that He would send an angel with them to the Promised Land. Moses said, “Not unless you go with us.” Moses, the meekest man in the Old Testament, was strong and courageous.
Consider Jesus. Do you picture Him as weak and powerless? I don’t. He is the Son of God and came to change the world.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
So what is meek? Meek is power under control. Meek is seeing yourself as a servant of God. Moses knew the power was not within himself. He knew that everything was in God’s control and his place, his responsibility was to serve God. Moses also put the needs of all of the Israelites ahead of his own. He stood in the gap between God and the people of Israel.
Jesus, without question the most powerful man to walk the earth. He was fully God and fully man. He had the power to control everything. But, He chose to be a servant to all of mankind, even those who crucified Him. He put the needs of sinners ahead of His own. He humbly and willingly followed the will of His Father. He knew He was the only one who could fulfill the promises of God.
God has given each of us gifts and talents. And it is ok to acknowledge your strengths. But, we should also remember that those gifts, those talents, those strengths are from God. And our place is to remain humble before the LORD. Our mission is to maintain a servant’s heart and offer our strengths, our talents to the LORD. Our purpose is to glorify Him.
