Living Today with Tomorrow in Mind

Have you ever longed for an inheritance? Do future rewards motivate you?

Jesus taps into the idea that each of us both understands and longs for an inheritance. Just consider for a moment the excitement of an inheritance. Someone promises you something that will be yours in a matter of time. For the Jews, God used this metaphor often as He made certain promises to them throughout the Old Testament. Here, Jesus promises a “big” inheritance in the next world.

His promise: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

For those who are meek, Jesus promises that they will inherit the earth. Now, that’s an inheritance! Imagine how incredible that future day will be in the Kingdom of God when those who are meek will inherit the earth. Here, Jesus uses our desire for an inheritance to motivate us to exercise self-control in anticipation of this incredible reward.

Who receives this inheritance? The meek. The meek person chooses self-control, gentleness, and submission to God’s plan in daily circumstances. Meekness flows out of humility where the follower of Jesus Christ strives to live with the mind of Christ in the midst of life circumstances while considering others more than self. The opposite of weakness, the meek person practices self-control while actively trusting God and serving people without self-assertiveness.

Difficult? Absolutely. Impossible? Not at all. In fact, though hard, it is expected of every follower of Jesus Christ. The meek person depends upon the grace of God to help him or her place the concerns of God and for others above one’s personal desires. With examples like Jesus and Moses, every disciple of Jesus Christ is expected to live worthy of the Gospel in meekness, to put meekness on as part of the garments of Christ, to respond to all of life in humble meekness, to receive the Word of God in meekness, and to live wisely in meekness.

Reflective Questions

1. When things do not go your way, how willing are you to trust God’s providential plan while responding in humble meekness of wisdom?
2. What value do you place on self-control as a demonstration of your love for God and others?
3. What one place could you seek to practice more self-control than normal in a desire to live for the glory of God and the good of those around you?

Memory Verse

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NKJV

Prayer

Dear God, help me to understand the true meaning of meekness. I want to grow in meekness and submission to Your plan for my life. Help me to depend upon Your grace to help me in my daily experiences and help me to place the Your concerns and the concerns of others above my own.

Related Scriptures

Psalm 37:7, 9, 11; Matthew 11:29; Matthew 21:5; Numbers 12:3; Ephesians 4:1–3; Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:1–2; James 1:21; and James 3:17