Vital signs- Thursday, April 15th, 2021

“Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.”

(Matthew 5:5)

What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.

Meekness is not weakness. Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29, KJV). If you think meekness is a weakness, go a week trying to be meek. The Bible says Moses was the meekest man on earth (see Numbers 12:3), yet he performed miracles, defied Pharaoh, and led a nation for 40 years.

“Meek” means yielded. It is strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or it can pull a plow. The proper term for bringing the animal under discipline is “meeked.” Its will has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. It still has the same fire, the same drive, the same instincts, but now there's a bit, a bridle, and a saddle. God does not hobble the horse; He energizes it. Now it exhibits strength under control. I still have ambition, but now my ambition is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s what meekness is.

Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself and how can you emulate Him?