Living a Blessed LifeSample

Scripture

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5

What is this attribute of meekness? For many, the idea of meekness means weakness, but this is not so! Meekness is not weakness. The word “meek” is also translated: humble, gentle, or even, tender. One of the great English words we no longer use that describes this attribute is self-effacing. Those who are self-effacing never draw attention to themselves, but are content in allowing others to take center stage or be seen. A self-effacing man allows the Lord Jesus to be center stage and others to take the next seats! It could be that Jesus would have said it this way, “Blessed is the man who never has to take center stage; therefore, he approaches all others with the utmost sincerity, gentleness, and kindness.”

One of the ways the word meekness was used in the days of Jesus and Paul was for the training of horses. When a great stallion or mare was taken through the breaking process and had finally submitted its mighty strength to the rider, it was said to have become meek! What is meekness? It is strength brought willingly under the control of another for good. Perhaps Jesus meant, “Blessed is the man who has seen My great authority and brought his life completely under Me (resulting in true humility and gentleness of soul).” This is the opposite spirit of the world. The world says, “Blessed are the loud and proud, the bragging ones, those who put themselves at the center of everything and step on everyone else along the way.”

The Promise: They shall inherit the earth. The world tells us that to get ahead in this life we must fight, scratch, run over people, and be selfish; but Jesus says to win in this life, you must submit, give up your rights, live and serve in humility, and put Him and others ahead of yourself. Moses is the supreme example of a man, who was the meekest man on the earth but was filled with authority and power from heaven.

What does it mean to inherit the earth? First, we must see that it is an inheritance, not a reward. Let’s run with that biblical phrase for a moment to track this thing down.

Read the following passages:

Mathew 5:5; Romans 4:12-13; 8:16-17; Galatians 3:29; Psalm 2:6-9

These passages point to a two-fold inheritance, and in that, they explain what it means to inherit the earth. First, the inheritance of the Lord Jesus is the nations. The ends of the earth are to be His possession! Jesus is clearly and undeniably teaching us that as we gain this meek spirit, we will become the very vessel or tool of His hand in the nations coming to Him and belonging to Him. We will be His glorious instruments of inheritance!

Second, it MUST mean that the good things of this world, the things that everyone longs for, will somehow find their way into our lives and into our hands. For some, it will mean:

• Continual, increased elevation in your work life bringing you great blessing and greater authority and influence;
• Financial increase in unusual ways and at an unusual pace;
• Incredible blessings within your family and home; or
• Countless other things, that on the surface in no way appear spiritually connected, but, in fact, are the evidence of your inheriting the earth!

Prayer: Lord, we put you at the center of everything. We put others above ourselves. Help us to serve others with humility and love. Let us be your tool in the nations. Let us join you in the inheritance of Heaven.