Lesson 4

 

Blessed are the meek

 

Matthew 5:5

Home

Index


"... for they shall inherit the earth."  Matthew 5:5

 

Meekness is the opposite of weakness. As a firmly rooted willow bends and flexes through the storm without breaking, so meekness is flexible resilient strength that can endure tests and turmoil, not by stiff resistance, but by gentle yielding. Rooted in Christ and resting in His will, you may share His meekness and pass triumphantly through the storms of your life. As you gently bend in the wind and yield yourself to His wise plan for each of your days, “the peace that passes all understanding” comes silently like a cloud and shelters you in His love. Because you know Him as the wise, loving, sovereign King who planned the path and sees the final outcome, you can accept His ways for you as good without argument or opposition. Resisting Him, you fall and break. Surrendered to Him, you stand anchored and indestructible in the fiercest storm.

Meekness, then, is a willingness to give up your own feeble, finite strength and put your life into His hands. When you do, nothing can prevent Him from extending to you His boundless, unquenchable, and eternal wisdom, love and power.

Again we see that God’s way up is down. To receive the many treasures of His Kingdom, you must recognize your own basic poverty of spirit (our own utter emptiness and inability apart from God) and, by His grace, “mourn” separation from Him. Trusting in God rather than in yourself is no longer a spiritual exercise of obedience; it is becoming a pattern of life growing from a heart that has found its source of peace and and seeks none other.

 

Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free!

Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be.

I sink in life’s alarm, when by myself I stand;

Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.

 

George Matheson, 1842-1906 

 


FIRST DAY: Read Matthew 5:5 together with Ps. 37:11a

 

1. Define “meekness”. (Use a dictionary, but let God’s Word be your main resource. Some translations use the word "gentle" instead of meek, which gives you a clue to part of the definition.) Add insights as you study the passages in this lesson.

 

 

 

2. What will the meek inherit?  Explain. (See also Psalm 24:1-6; Romans 5:17b; 2 Corinthians 2:14;  and Philippians 4:11-13)

 

 

SECOND DAY: Jesus was meek. All His life He manifested the strength, humility and peace of meekness. Look at Him!

 

1. Study and meditate on the following passages. Where do you see His meekness?

 

Matt. 11 :28-30

 

 

Matt. 21:5

 

 

Matt. 26:36-45

 

 

1 Pet. 2:21-23b

 

 

2. (Personal) God says to you, “Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus....” (Philippians 2:5) From the above passages (and any others which you remember), describe the attitude of meekness you desire to manifest. (Remember, meekness is not being a "doormat."  Moses, God’s mighty leader and deliverer “was very meek, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” Numbers 12:3)

 

 

THIRD DAY: The Scriptures are full of examples of meekness manifested through God’s people. Let Him teach and encourage you through them.

 

1. Read 1 Samuel 24:7-20. David knew he was annointed to be king over Israel. Only Saul, now a rejected, jealous and bitter ruler, stood in his way and prolonged David’s wait for his rightful place. While Saul sought to murder his rival, David was given a perfect opportunity to kill Saul; yet what did David choose to do? Why? 

 

 

How did he demonstrate meekness?

 

 

2. Read 2 Samuel 16:5-12. David was not perfect, but he humbly repented of his sins and knew that God had forgiven him. Shimei, however, would not forgive his offense against the king. Describe David’s reaction toS himei’s attack. Where do you see meekness?

 

 

 

3. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:4-12. In v. 7 you find the word “meek” (or gentle) used to summarize how Paul lived among the Thessalonians. What qualities does meekness include and exclude here?

 

 

 

4. (Personal) What did you learn from the above illustrations that encourage you in your present circumstances and choices?

 

 

FOURTH DAY:  God has given you many guidelines in His Word which help you to live a lifestyle of meekness. These are keys to contentment and victory while here on earth. What is God saying to you in each of the following passages?  

Matt. 23:11-12

 

 

Galatians 6:1-3

 

 

Colossians 3:12-13

 

FIFTH DAY:  Read John 12:24-26. These words of Jesus explain why Paul could say, “None of these things move me, neither count I my life precious to myself; that I might finish my course with joy...” (Acts 20:24 KJV)  For Paul had “died with Christ”, so that Jesus would forever be his true life.

 

1. What is Jesus saying to you in vs. 24-25? (For further understanding see Rom. 6:4-8.)

 

 

 

2. (Challenge) What additional insight do you gain in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18?

 

 

 

3.According to John 12:26, what wonderful blessing may you enjoy here and now, if you choose His way of meekness?

 

 

 

SIXTH DAY:  Read Philippians 4:11-13 and discover more of the blessings the meek will enjoy here on earth.

 

1. What is Paul telling you about his heart and mindset?

 

 

 

2. From the preceding passages, why is Paul able to be content in any circumstance? (What is his “secret”? Consider also Rom. 6:11, 13)

 

 

 

3. How can you live this life of meekness, freedom and contentment? Do you want it? Tell your King.  

 


The Secret of Abundant Life:  Lesson 5

Home | Index| Armor of God | Persecution | Victory | Heaven