Blessed are the Meek

This year the focus in our 4-min devotions is the teaching given by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5 – 7. We are looking at the short “Blessed are…” phrases at the beginning of the sermon, often called the Beatitudes or “beautiful attitudes” as somebody once said. The word “blessed” can also mean happy, but specifically the person is happy because they have received God’s favour. The third beatitude is: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). I wonder if Jesus was thinking of Psalm 37 when he said this. David, who wrote the psalm, encouraged his hearers to resist any impulse they might have to envy those who gain by doing wrong. On the contrary they are to trust in the Lord for all things, to do good, to be patient, to refrain from anger or frustration. He says: A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity (Psalms 37:10-11). A person who is meek will have a calm temper, not easily provoked. He or she will be patient and humble. They will want to do good. Matthew Henry said: “Meekness is calm confidence, settled assurance, and rest of the soul. It is the tranquil stillness of a soul that is at rest in Christ. It is the place of peace. Meekness springs from a heart of humility, radiating the fragrance of Christ.” The Lord wants every one of His children to experience a heart at rest. He wants us to know the peace of trusting in Him. What might it mean that the meek inherit the earth, or the land, as David stated in his psalm? What is the earth or land in these metaphors? Some have suggested that inheriting the earth means to find peace with God or peace in human relationships. Or both. The inheritance may refer to other forms of spiritual blessing, either in our present life or in the future. For example, it might manifest as the favour of God upon yours or my life today in terms of answered prayer, or rewards in the new earth after Jesus returns. Perhaps the important point though is that the new world – the new Kingdom – inaugurated by Jesus, is not one where the strongest or loudest win. The bully and the one driven by pride has no place in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Lord lifts the humble. Jesus modelled meekness for us. He washed his disciples’ feet instead of expecting the service from a household slave. Despite being falsely accused, Jesus responded without any anger or threat. And he submitted himself to His Father’s will to suffer and die for our sins. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. The one who resists the temptation to place ego on the throne, finds his feet on holy ground, blessed by God and placed there by Him.