Blake Allen, Student Pastor, LHBC
Matthew 5:5
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Did you ever have pets growing up? Growing up as a kid, I had a few pet dogs. We had rottweilers that were very friendly and I loved them. If we were to have pets today, we would have dogs. Recently though, we had a kitten visit us. It found its way in our backyard. My daughter instantly fell in love with it. She wanted to play with it. She wanted to follow it around. She wanted to keep it. Thankfully, its owners came and picked it up. I have never been a fan of cats. But honestly, after seeing my daughter’s love for the kitten, I would be lying if I said I didn’t almost cave by buying her one.
I have been around many animals but never owned anything other than a dog. However, I think it would be cool to have racing horses. I have always been fascinated of how focused the horses are during the race. I am sure this requires a lot of training and practice. During the race, the horses take all of their training a put it into focus. Training prepares them for that moment.
Anytime you open your Bible or pray, you are training. You are growing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord. You are practicing spiritual disciplines. These disciplines prepare you for moments of trials. Depending on how much training you do, when you are met with trials, you will either be ready or not.
One area we all need training in is meekness. Meekness is a form of humility, patience, and gentleness. Have you ever heard the phrase “meekness is not weakness”? This is true because it actually requires a lot of strength. For example, when someone cuts you off in traffic, it takes alot more restraint to choose patience, to not honk the horn, cut them back off, or wave at them with one finger. It is way easier and more satisfying to the flesh to get back at them in some way. True strength requires refraining. Choosing meekness in this situation could be look like praying for them, not responding, or praying for God to soften your heart towards them. It’s easy to try and get back at them for the flesh is weak. But when you have the power or strength to retaliate and you choose not to, you choose meekness.
When someone insults you, pushes you, hurts your feelings, or wrongs you in anyway, you will either choose the flesh or the spirit in that moment. Meekness requires us to choose the Spirit over the flesh. Instead of retailating, we trust God, hand the situation over to Him, leave it in His hands, dwell on Him and not the situation, completely trust by not worrying or harboring anger or bitterness, and by waiting on the Lord. Meekness requires that we remain patient and trust in the Lord during these times.
Of course, this is not easy. But this is why we train ourselves in the word and in prayer. So, when the time comes to put our training into focus, we are more readily able to choose meekness over pride.
That being said, how is your time in the word and in prayer? Are you practicing these basic spiritual disciplines everyday? Is this evident in the way you respond to frustrating situations? Are you choosing meekness?
Jesus, though having the power to demolish his enemies, allowed himself to be beaten and crucified for us. It was our sin that put him on the cross. We chose pride and rebellion over humility. Jesus chose humility over pride. He was patient and gentle towards us though we deserved His wrath. And in His meekness, His power was shown to the world as He conquered sin, death, and the grave.
God tells us those who walk in meekness like Christ have more joy than others who choose not to, for they are blessed. And if we walk in meekness, God will reward us for it.
Choose meekness for it is not weakness.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, grant us the strength to choose patience, gentleness, and humility in times of frustration. We know that vengeance belongs to you and you alone. You are aware of the circumstances we face and you will act according to your plan and timing. Help us to honor you in the way we live our life in these moments. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 8:9
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!