Daily Devotional For Monday, August 19, 2024

Well, your weekend is over and you are back in the grind of things. It’s Monday and we are off to a great week serving the Lord. We have defined and given the context for gentle or meek and now, let’s look at the results when we are meek or gentle as Jesus says. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek (gentle) for they will inherit the earth.” Remember, only the meek or gentle will inherit the earth – not the proud, arrogant, boastful, not the unrepentant, the cocky, not those who do not confess their sins – only the meek. So, what is it that the meek actually inherit?

In Jesus’ day, Jews believed that only the strong would inherit anything, of which the Jews themselves believed they would be the strongest. They believed in a military and political Messiah, not a Suffering Messiah. The Greek New Testament word Jesus used for “inherit” is [κληρονομέω, kleronomeo]. This word means “to receive a lot, receive by lot; especially to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance, to receive one’s allotted portion, one’s rightful inheritance.” Jesus quotes directly from the Old Testament in Psalms 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the land” (ESV).

Just like in Jesus’ day, God’s genuine people have asked and wondered why the godless seem to prosper and excel while the godly and righteous suffer. Have you ever wondered this? It seems our country and world keeps deteriorating every day. This is one of the reasons I do not believe in evolution because in my opinion, our culture, country and cosmos is de-evolving rather than evolving.

Until God settles all scores on Judgment Day, we must patiently wait and trust He who told us we are not of this world. In 1 Corinthian 6:9-11, the Apostle Paul writes this: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, (10) nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (ESV).

There is coming a day when our Lord will take from the hands of the ungodly, the unrighteous, the unholy and the non-meek this world. David affirms this in Psalm 149:5-9, "Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds (6) Let the high praises of God be in their throats and it two-edged swords in their hands, (7) to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, (8) to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, (9) to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!” (ESV).

Jesus said the “gentle” or the “meek” will inherit the earth. When I was growing up, there was a word that was used of young boys as a reminder to be – a gentleman. Well, that word and its significance has gone the way of the crude, vulgar, and profane in our modern culture. “Meekness” or “gentleness” is the awareness that even when one is intentionally hurt or injured by someone, a person who is meek leaves it to God to settle the score and get vengeance. A person who is meek accepts those hurts and injuries without person retribution. Meekness is another version of power under control. A person who gives into the control of God is the person who will inherit the earth. 

1. The first main reason meekness is so important is that it is required for salvation. David writes this in Psalm 149:4, “For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation” (KJV). 
2. A second reason meekness is so important is because it is commanded. Look at Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger” (NKJV). And read James 1:21, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (ESV).
3. A third reason meekness is important is that we cannot effectively witness without it. Look at 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (NKJV). The biggest barrier between anyone and their testimony is their pride. Pride and meekness cannot exist at the same time.
4. A fourth reason meekness is so important is that meekness seeks what pride does not – the glory of God. A meek person does not seek to draw attention to themselves for personal glory, but intentionally draws attention to bring God glory. Look at Romans 15:5-7, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (ESV).

In a world that defines “gentle” or “meek” as wimpy, weak, a doormat, milquetoast, spineless, weak, yellow, or pushover, it is far from it. As we have already seen in previous days, meekness is extreme power under control and this is why those who are meek will inherit the earth. As pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes:

“Those who keep their anger in check, who don’t flaunt their power or constantly claim their rights, who put others’ interests before their own—these are the kind who will “inherit the earth.” In the future, they will be fellow heirs with Christ, ruling with Him in the kingdom (Rom. 8:16–17; 2 Tim. 2:12). But even in the present, God may place them in positions of influence, knowing they can be trusted to handle authority with integrity and humility” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament, “Matthew 1:15,” Vol. 1A, p. 89).

David tells us who will not inherit the earth in Psalms 37:9-11, “For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. (10) For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. (11) But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (NKJV).

New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton sums it up this way in his commentary:

“Meek people realize their position before God (5:3) and gladly live it out before their fellow humans. They do not look down on themselves, but they do not think too highly of themselves either. Such people exemplify the Golden Rule. They are not arrogant; they are the opposite of those who seek to gain as much for themselves as possible. Ironically, then, it will not be the arrogant, wealthy, harsh people who get everything. Instead, the meek will inherit the earth. To the Jews, this implied the Promised Land; Jesus used the “earth” to refer to the future inheritance of the kingdom. According to Revelation 21–22, believers will enjoy a new heaven and a new earth. God will one day freely give his true disciples what they did not grasp for themselves on earth” (Source: Bruce B. Baron, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” pp. 77-78).

Questions To Consider

1. Why do you think being “meek” as Jesus defined it was so such a shock to the Jews of His day? Why do you think Jesus’ words then do not make sense to people today? How would you help them understand it?
2. You cannot even get saved or receive or inherit salvation without meekness? Why?
3. God commands His people to be meek. In which areas of your life do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to help you be meek and why?
4. Why do you think meekness is required in witnessing? How does it help our testimony?
5. Since most poor people in Israel did not own their own land and were subject to the whims of oppressive landlords (Jas 5:1–6). God promised the Jews “The Promise Land” through the covenant He made with Abraham, not to Christians. God promises the entire earth to us….. IF we are meek. This is God’s fulfilled promise in Revelation 21:22. So, how do you think you personally get to inherit the whole earth? Don’t say, “I need to be meek.” That is a given, but how does this personally apply to you?

Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 147:6, “The LORD lifts up the humble (meek); He casts the wicked to the ground” (ESV).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, the last thing I want to be is a terrible witness for You by drawing praise and glory for myself in boasting about what I have done or do. Please help me with my temper, my anger, and my self-centeredness. I do not want to be proud, or arrogant, or boastful. If I am going to boast, I want to boast in the You Lord. Please convict me to live my life in such a way that when people see me, they see You. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly