Meekness: The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD. Isaiah 29:19
Hmmm... I think we'd have to agree that Scripture has quite a bit to say about meekness. Does it not also put an end to our so-called "reasons" for our "unmeekness". Did you catch what God said? Show meekness. Follow after meekness. Put on meekness. Walk with meekness. Adorn yourself with meekness. A serious consideration of these verses leaves us without a doubt about one thing - not only is our Lord Jesus Christ meek but God desires us to be meek as well. Studying this definition of meekness and the above passages promotes some serious thinking about ourselves... Am I mild of temper? Are my words soft-spoken? Do I show meekness to all men? (and all women and children?!) Am I calm, not easily provoked or irritated? Is meekness something I am striving to follow after? Have I "put on" and "adorned" myself with meekness?
These soul-searching questions leave me convicted of how "unmeek" I really am! Maybe I'd rather stick to that "power under control" definition that I didn't really understand!! At least it's less convicting! But according to the Bible... Meekness is a character trait God desires each of us to have. Is it one of yours? Meekness is a goal He urges us to strive for and to pursue. Is it one of your goals? Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. When things happen, we can do one of 2 things: react or respond. Consider what our life and the lives of those around us would be like if instead of reacting in an "unmeek", fleshly way, we responded with meekness having "crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts". If we lived and walked displaying meekness, would we see any changes happen around us? With Christ-likeness as our goal, may we respond to the call of our Lord Jesus Christ as, with open arms, He bids us to come and "... learn of Me for I am meek and lowly." May meekness become the cry of our heart and our lifelong goal. As we strive for meekness Isaiah assures us... "The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD." Isaiah 29:19
Written by Zonya Bergsma ReachHearts Ministries