Wednesday’s Encouraging Word – Meekness is Powerful

Meekness is Not Weakness!

To many, the word ‘gentleness or meekness’ can sound a lot like weakness, some can even label others as ‘wimpy!’ Meekness has nothing to do with timidity or being weak, and couldn’t be further from the truth….If meekness isn’t weakness, then what is it? Interestingly enough, the word has an association with domesticated animals, specifically beasts of burden and that of oxen. If we take the time to think about it, an ox at the plow is not weak but extraordinarily strong. The key, though, is that its power is harnessed and directed. So meekness is strength that is submitted to an appropriate authority. Or in other words strength under control…..

They Are Given the Earth

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek [gentle], for they shall inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5 KJV). Just look at the power and authority Jesus was given by His Father, He was and is the “Son of God” and the “Son of Man.” But He knew that He could do nothing without His Father (John 5:19-20 NKJV). See, the meek or gentle don’t have to strive, manipulate or even compete like others. Why? They get to inherit everything as sons and daughters. Brothers and sisters mainly compete, but fathers and sons and mothers and daughters rarely do!

Inheritance is about Receiving and Not Striving

When we ‘inherit’ something we don’t have to strive for it, we just receive it because we’re loved, valued, and are part of the family. Meekness or gentleness is born out of love. It refuses to rush and point out people’s faults, to judge or even criticize. It doesn’t name drop, or force it’s own way because it has nothing to prove; Meekness is concerned, compassionate and troubled when the structure, the budget, the climbing of the corporate ladder, becomes more important than the people we’re called to help raise up and serve. It is grieved when the personal itinerary leaves no time to stop and care for our families, friends, work colleagues, the young, the old, the sick or the hurting……

A Virtue Hard to Find in Today’s Society

Meekness is a virtue that is hard to find in a modern society that admires and commends toughness, self-image, and even self-preservation. In today’s systems and mindsets, we’re encouraged to get things done and get them done now, but in the process, people can get trampled on and sometimes thrown out onto the scrap heap. It tends to be all about titles, power, success, money, accomplishment, and productivity, but at what cost? Unfortunately, there seems no place for meekness or gentleness in such atmospheres or environments.

Being Powerful Does Not Mean Domineering

As we can read throughout the New Testament, Paul was fervent in Spirit (Rom 12:11 NKJV) and a powerhouse for God, yet he wrote, ‘…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children’ (1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV). When we know we can inherit the earth a meek person can tread lightly, listen carefully, look tenderly, and can touch people’s lives with honor and sensitivity.

The meek and the gentle know that true growth requires nurturing, not fear, dominance and control! So let your mantle be meekness, for, in our tough and unbending world, it demonstrates a vivid picture of God’s love and God’s presence to the ones around us.

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