Strength Under Control: The Power of Meekness

Scripture

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)

Devotional Reflection

When we think of strength, we do not naturally think of meekness. Many consider strength to be displayed when we fight back against those things and people that come against us. We often think of strength, in a negative sense, as those who dominate and subjugate others. But meekness is a strength greater than any person might display in fighting back against enemies or forcibly dominating others. Meekness is the strength to not respond. It is the strength to hold one’s peace in the face of attack or ridicule.

Christ was meek. He could have easily put all those who attacked Him down with one word. We see His power when the soldiers come to arrest Him. They say they are looking for Him, and His answer knocks them to the ground:

John 18:4–6

⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (NIV)

To be treated with such vitriol as He was, while having the power of life and death in His hands, He revealed a monumental strength by remaining calm and choosing not to fight back. This is true strength—far greater than falling into the temptation of letting what others do cause us to act in ways we never should.

The earth inherited is not the earth as we currently know it, but the new earth. It is a reference to Heaven. However, Christ is not teaching salvation by works, as if anyone who is able to remain calm under pressure automatically goes to Heaven. On the contrary, what He is saying is that to remain meek, a person needs the Holy Spirit—the gift given when they put their faith in Christ. But more than this, those who learn to live by the power of the Holy Spirit walk in obedience to the Lord, who has taught us to love, forgive, and pray for our enemies.

We are reminded that salvation is evidenced by works. We cannot work our way into Heaven, but when our faith is sincere, our behavior progressively changes as we become more like Christ day after day.

Prayer

Lord, teach me the strength of meekness. Help me to trust You enough to remain calm, to hold my peace, and to respond with grace instead of reaction. Form Your character in me through Your Spirit, that I may become more like You each day. Amen.