Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” But what exactly is meekness? Does meekness mean I become the world’s doormat? Does it mean I’m to give in to the demands of obnoxious people? No.
Meekness is a humble and gentle attitude toward others. Meekness is strength under control. A well-trained horse is a good example. A horse is a powerful animal. But its power is wasted – even destructive - if it won’t submit to harness and bridle. To submit to control of the rider or farmer is meekness in a horse. To submit to the control of God is meekness in a man.
President Theodore Roosevelt adopted as his pet proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." By that he meant that if the U.S. had a strong military, it could work its will among the nations of the world. In 1901, Roosevelt elaborated on his philosophy: "If a man continually blusters,… a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power."
When Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," he was not speaking of armies and foreign policy, but some principles are the same for people and nations. The meek Christian does not need to bluster, as if his or her personal self-confidence could win the day. Whether we're contesting a point, responding to criticism, or speaking of the hope within, we can do so in meekness, with quiet confidence. For in "back of the softness," within us, lies the strength and power of God.
Meekness does not mean giving in to every demand made by unreasonable people. Meekness has to do with how we say no to unreasonable people.
Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change. And when we are right, make us easy to live with. -- Peter Marshall
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