APRIL 15, James 4:10

There is a group founded by J. Upton Dickson called DOORMATS. That stands for “Dependent Order Of Really Meek And Timid Souls.” Their motto was: “The meek shall inherit the earth — if that’s okay with everybody.” Their symbol was the yellow traffic light, whose message is, Slow down and prepare to give the right of way to others.

That is not what the Bible is talking about when it speaks of meekness. The biblical concept of meekness does not imply weakness. It does not mean that a person becomes wimpy. Biblical meekness is not being a doormat so that everyone can step all over us. All we have to do is think of Moses confronting Pharaoh or Jesus driving the moneychangers out of the temple. Both Moses and Jesus were meek people but were they wimps? Definitely not! From Moses and Jesus, we can see why meekness is not weakness, but instead it is power and strength under God’s control.

Being meek is against our human reasoning. Our natural human tendency is to strive for honour, high positions, material possessions, and power. Yet in this Beatitude, Jesus commended and blessed the meek!

Are you meek? In other words, are you humble? God does not want you to be weak, and He does not want you to be proud, either. Jesus Christ became a humble servant for you, and God desires for you to be humble too. Instead of thinking only of yourself, He wants you to be unselfish and put the needs and feelings of other people before your own.

Thought: I must follow Jesus’ example of meekness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me become a truly humble servant for You. Help me put the needs and feelings of others first before my own. I thank You for the lessons on meekness and for teaching me the importance of this aspect of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.