Meekness, Part 6

We are not yet done considering the subject of meekness. Recall that meekness is characterized by humility, lowliness, gentleness, and submissiveness to authority. A meek person is not proud. He is not occupied with self. Meekness is marked by the absence of self-assertion or self-exaltation. And, yet, meekness is not weakness. It certainly takes strength of character to bring the self and its passions into subjection. Solomon said it well:

Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

We think of those who conquer cities as mighty. A meek man who controls his passions is mightier. A meek man is not a weak man!

Today I wish to consider the reward of meekness. Although you might be tempted to think you are losing a lot by not being self-serving, in reality you gain far more being meek and lowly. The arrogant, self-loving men of this world will consider you foolish for your meekness. But God says that wisdom belongs to you, not to them.

PRO 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Although you may not gain the esteem of this world by being meek, you have the respect of God, the Most High.

PSA 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Imagine! The Highest in power, wisdom, and goodness regards you, pays attention to you, and takes you and your little life into consideration, all of which is implied in that word respect. By contrast, the Lord knows the proud afar off. They are not near in His thoughts and consideration as you are. They may command the respect of this world, but not of God.

Proud, self-absorbed sinners think that the path to happiness and greater joy is found in the pursuit of self-fulfillment. “It’s all about what you want, whatever makes you happy,” is their philosophy. On the other hand, meekness is the emptying of self in the service of God and of others. This is the true path to happiness and greater joy.

ISA 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD.

For Paul and the saints at Philippi, it was self-sacrifice and service that led to joy.

Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

If you would truly be happy, think of someone besides yourself and, most importantly, think of God and what pleases Him.

Then consider this promise:

PSA 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

You may be down today. But if you are among the meek, you will not stay down. The wicked may be riding high today, but it will not last. They will be brought low while the lowly will be lifted up. So if today finds you in heaviness through manifold temptations, do not react by envying the men of this world who are prospering and getting ahead. Consider their end. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and He will lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Lamentations 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

The proud and self-serving of this earth are always trying to beautify themselves and their surroundings. They lay out huge sums of money to achieve beauty. Proud man is in love with himself. He makes himself beautiful so that he can admire himself more. We call a person like this a narcissist. Mike Pyatt has been quoted as saying: "A narcissist, once falling in love with self, would never find his equal." He will always see others as less than himself. A narcissist is definitely not meek. But, as we saw above in Psalm 147:6, these proud, self-serving, and self-loving souls will be “cast down to the ground.” Being thrown into the dirt is not exactly where a hunk or a beauty queen expects to end up. On the other hand, the meek can look forward to God beautifying them.

PSA 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

God’s work of salvation will make the meek beautiful. God compares His saved people to a crown (Isaiah 62:3) and to jewels (Malachi 3:7). He says they are as fair as the moon and as clear as the sun (Song of Solomon 6:10). In the end when their salvation is complete, they will be presented in glory “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27).

Then there is this promise proclaimed by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount.

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

I have several things to say about this reward of meekness. But you will have to meekly wait for it.