Open Heavens October 4, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 37-39

BLESSEDNESS OF MEEKNESS

MEMORIZE: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)

READ: Matthew 5:1-12

A number of people are called blessed according to today’s reading. They include the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. A look at this list reveals that what many consider unfortunate, are indeed marks of heavenly blessings. May you be among the blessed ones from today. What is a blessing? It is an invitation to supernatural forces to assist, support or back up a particular individual or group. Who are those that are blessed? Contrary to popular opinion, the meek are blessed. If you have power to fight, harm or destroy, but refrain from using that power, you are meek. The meek is one who prefers God to defend him than defend himself even when he has the means of self defense. The meek is one fellow who gives up his rights, and allows himself to be defrauded. In the eyes of the world, a meek person is a weakling and a fool but in God’s sight, he is blessed. Do you have information or secrets you could use in destroying or bringing down somebody not favorably disposed to you? That is power. Deliberate refusal to use that power is meekness.

God is the defender of the meek. God is also the avenger of the meek. God would like to avenge many of His children: but before He takes up their case, they would have already gone to court, or become their own advocate. You cannot employ physical means to fight for yourself, and expect God to fight for you. The meek is blessed because he is manifesting one of God’s virtues which compels Him into the situation at stake. The meek is blessed because he is wise. It is wisdom not to violate God’s Word, take laws into your hands and fight or avenge your enemies. Human -enemy consciousness is one vice that is fast destroying the spirit of meekness in the midst of believers today. Some people have worsened their plight in an attempt to avenge themselves. Some have even attracted death in the process. If you take up arms against your offender, you can be held responsible if anything happens to the fellow. But if you are meek, God takes over the fight and nothing can be traced to you. Believers who refuse to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit are suffering from spiritual short-sightedness. Are you meek? Are you not trying to get back at your pastor, spouse, colleague or neighbor? Repent. Ask God to help you cultivate this fruit of the spirit. You can become one of the blessed ones from today.

ACTIONPOINT: Your help in the custody of the earth may never be delivered to you until you produce your certificate of meekness.