By: Juliet Constantine
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)
The people were impressed with Jesus’ teaching, healing and His compassion. The crowd grew larger and larger. “Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapulis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan followed Him.” Matthew 4:25. His words and kindness were like cool water to a thirsty soul! Many might have secretly planned to make Him their king. They must have compared Him with the rulers of their day and earnestly desired a change. But Jesus calmed their anxieties and encouraged them to be patient.
“Blessed are the meek,” Jesus taught. Meek persons are humble – too humble. We may see them as “stupid-fools”, but Jesus saw them as being humble. Humble people are normally more stable and have a propensity to achieve more in the long term. Jesus assured His listeners that the meek will inherit the earth
Humility calls for patience. My mother always says, “Patient man ride donkey.” Humility and patience are so foreign to people of the 21st century as we reside in an ‘instant’ era of earth’s history. Most things are so easy to come by – provided the money is available. Yes, money answereth to all things. There’s no lesson to be learned from waiting for something. I need it now and I must have it immediately. Something that needs fixing, or a decision needs to be made, and it must be done now! In all of this instantaneous living, humility seems to be lost in the mix!
Jesus taught us that life will throw us challenges that will test our patience. But if we humble ourselves, we will be exalted. The meek will indeed inherit the earth. Not the power pushers or the back stabbers; not the get-rich-quick mentality slave drivers, but the willingness to work fairly. Not the one who seeks to fight every battle, but the one who chooses his battles and handles them well.
Yes, life challenges will test our patience. There may be challenges in your home, your marriage, your job, and even your church that seem more than you are willing to cope with. Be reminded that the race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong, but for those who endure. Remember, the humble calf sucks the most milk. Patience is a virtue – a rare one. This fruit of the Spirit is a quality we all need.
Like the well-meaning men of Jesus’ day, who were assured that they would get what was rightfully theirs if they remain patient, you too can be assured of the same. As you face your challenges, ask God for the grace to be patient, to be humble, to be meek.
Our Father, in this world of sickness, death and gloom, we are longing for Jesus’ return. We want him to come now to put an end to suffering-- to everything. Please give us grace to face our challenges and to remain patient and humble in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
