I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV)
The meek man, according to Luther, is the sweet-tempered man.
Meekness
and lowliness are the two aspects of the same disposition, the one toward man,
the other toward God. "Blessed are the meek," said our Lord,
"for they shall inherit the earth." It is profoundly true, because to
the meek and chastened, the sweet and tender spirit, there is an unfolding of
the hidden beauty of the world which is withheld from the arrogant and proud.
Here is a millionaire who has just purchased a beautiful and valuable picture,
which he exhibits to all his friends, taking great care to tell them the price
he has paid. To him it is written all over the canvas, "This picture cost
me ten thousand dollars!" Does he really possess or inherit its beauty? In
his employ is a girl with culture and keen artistic sense. Whenever she gets
the chance she enters the room in order to absorb the inspiration of the
picture into her soul. Doesn't she really own it? So it is that the meek
inherit all that is good and beautiful. All is theirs, since they are God's.
One of the
most exquisite gems in the Psalms is that beginning "Lord, my heart is not
haughty, nor mine eyes lofty" (Psalm 131:1). The writer describes himself
as a weaned child, which at first works itself into a passion because of the
change in its diet; but afterwards becomes soothed and quieted. This is the
symbol of the meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.
To acquire
this meekness of spirit, ask the Holy Spirit that He would keep your proud and
vainglorious nature nailed to the cross. Next, we must believe that the meek
and lowly Jesus is in our hearts, and we must ask Him to live, think, and speak
through us. Lastly, look to the Holy Spirit for His sacred fire to bum out all
that is covetous, envious, proud, angry and malicious within our hearts, for
these are the five elements of hell. Let's always take the low seat, confessing
that we are not worthy to untie the shoe strings of our brethren.
PRAYER
Enable us;
we beseech You, heavenly Father, to walk as Your dear children. May all
uncleanness, foolish talking, covetousness, bitterness, wrath and anger be put
away from us, with all malice. Make us meek, as our Savior was. Deliver us from
the spirit of retaliation. May we make peace, healing the strife and put to
rest the irritation of men. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
God's
Daily Promise
Promise #317:
I wait for opportunities to show you My compassion.
Isaiah 30:18 (WEB)
Therefore Yahweh will wait,
that he may be gracious to you;
and therefore he will be
exalted, that he may have mercy on you,
for Yahweh is a God of
justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
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