5. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - The Meek will Inherit the Earth

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

The Greek word for meekness means mildness of disposition or gentleness of spirit. Meekness toward God is when we accept His dealings with us as good and therefore trust Him. The meek are those relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Meekness toward evil people, therefore, means we know God permits the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His children, and that He will deliver them in His time.

 Gentleness and meekness, stemming from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation, are the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. The meek person is not occupied with self at all.

In many people, gentleness is confused with meekness. In some of the “rougher diamonds,” meekness is sensed beyond the outer aggressive nature. We can compare them to cactus plants. Often, because of circumstances and personality, these people have sprouted thorns, but their insides are actually soft. On the contrary, even gentle people can be self-assertive and aggressive (in their gentle way) in handling their issues, rather than relying on the Lord. Meekness, therefore, is a choice.

Consider the following passages:

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14)

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6b)

Meekness comes not from man but from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22, 23). It is not easy to be meek. Everything in you calls out for you to fight, to stand on your rights, and to look after your own interests. But if you walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide you, you will succeed. Many people may perceive meekness as weakness. Even you may ask yourself why you are so passive. Should you not be more assertive and do something about things. I have stopped counting the times when I wanted to put up a fight and the Holy Spirit stopped me, showing me the reasons why it would be pointless and that it would only jeopardise relationships. 

Being meek might make you feel like a loser. but you are not to follow your feelings, but the Word of God and the Holy Spirit's guidance. Those who allow it to manifest in and through their spirits are blessed, according to our passage, and will inherit the earth. Why would inheriting the earth be important to the Lord and the meek? We often talk about 'our world' or 'my world' meaning the part of the world or earth we influence? Some people affect only a small area and others almost the entire earth. Our passage means to say that those who let God do the fighting on their behalf will, through their love and meekness, exercise a great and positive influence to God's glory on the piece of earth they influence. They inherit it on the Lord's behalf so He can reign there through them.

Gentle servants, on behalf of a gentle Lord, care gently for their fellow servants. The Lord expects us to stand humbly and trust Him to do the fighting. All we need to do is forgive and show love and gentleness, and this demands faith.