BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

Pastor Bill Marks, Christian Fellowship, Potchefstroom, (018) 293 1608 or 079 311 6515 Matthew 5:5 - “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Adam and Eve were appointed by God to fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over the fish, the birds, and every living thing that moves on the earth (Genesis 1:28). But Adam forfeited all of this by his deliberate choice and Eve, being deceived, fell into transgression (to break a law). They also forfeited meekness, and the blessing that follows a meek attitude. 1 Timothy 2:14 - “And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. We see that Miriam and Aaron attacked Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman, who was not an Israelite (Numbers 12:1). But Moses was meek. Num. 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” The Greek word for MEEKNESS is PRAUTES (Matt. 5:5). It is closely linked with the word HUMILITY. MEEKNESS IS POWER UNDER CONTROL Num. 12:10 - “When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam - leprous, like snow. Aaron turned towards her and saw that she had leprosy.” Moses responded to God in humility (MEEKNESS) and cried out to the Lord saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!” And Miriam was healed of leprosy through the intercession of Moses. The Napoleons, the Hitlers, and even men of today, seek to conquer the earth. They are driven by pride and lust for power and position, but it is the MEEK who shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:11 - “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” YOU MEASURE A MAN’S POWER BY HIS CHARACTER “There is gentleness in praus (meekness), but behind the gentleness, there is the strength of steel, for the supreme characteristic of the man who is praus, is that he is the man who is under perfect control” (Barclay). A primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to produce the fruit of the Spirit in the believer’s life. MEEKNESS comes forth by the inward working of the Holy Spirit. The outer manifestation of God’s character in one’s life follows only afterwards. MEEKNESS is a cure for bitterness and when I go to the other person who wronged me, forgiving him in humility, I see the grace of God at work! All of us should turn to God with heartfelt sorrow and meekness, for this will bring forth salvation. Psalm 37:11 - “But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” There are two rewards mentioned here: One is for the present, whereby we inherit the blessing of peace. The other reward is in the future when we shall inherit the Kingdom of God in its full manifestation WHEN KING JESUS COMES AGAIN. PRAISE THE LORD! Sponsored by TG TRADERS