One of the sturdy bricks for the house of happiness bears the words, “I am meek.” In this material, the component called “I” is very important. It is directly connected with my inner world and reveals to Heaven the beauty of the interaction between my human nature and the wondrous touch of Heaven.
Meekness is the ability to govern oneself, keep negative emotions under control, express one’s opinion wisely and appropriately, or remain silent when necessary. Meekness is expressed in kind words and deeds toward others. It is the ability to forgive those who offend you quickly, harbor no evil thoughts, remain attentive to those around you, and at the same time stay faithful to the spiritual principles revealed in God’s laws, commands, and counsels. Meekness is the character of a believer.
People are not born meek; they become meek under the influence of God’s grace when they decide to believe in Christ, obey Him, learn to love, and live according to the light they receive from God.
Meekness is God’s seal upon a person’s character, testifying that he belongs to the family of Heaven.
I am meek. This sounds rather bold and may be perceived as hypocrisy. Not everyone will understand you if you make such a declaration. Therefore, you may keep these words in your heart and speak them to God—preferably with a question mark at the end.
And yet, twice in the Bible we encounter statements made about themselves by the meekest of men: Moses and Jesus (Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29).
We read: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
The Sermon on the Mount begins by describing the principles of happiness, and its spiritual meaning can be understood and appreciated only when you have personally experienced these things. Only a meek person who has been taught by God can see the advantages of meekness.
Meekness is born in a person after the fiery furnace, when he has passed through many difficulties and trials and, through the working of God’s grace, has been cleansed of harmful and unnecessary habits and character traits.
Meekness is like a diamond of consecration to Heaven, set in the gold of love from the Holy Spirit, which is given to graduates of Christ’s school as a reward for faithfulness and obedience.
God is teaching me to behave this way as well. He draws me to the Example of meekness in His Son. I see the advantage of this condition of soul compared with what I was like at the beginning of my journey to God. The difference is like darkness and light.
I understand that I do not need very much in this world. I know that I will not live forever on this sinful earth among wicked people, and therefore my plans for the future are of a different nature. The closer the day comes when I must leave this world, the more fully I realize that I am a pilgrim on earth and will take with me none of what I have accumulated here. Yet everything I have given away will remain in my luggage. At the same time, I understand that I will take with me everything I have acquired for my character and used to build my happiness. I will take it home.
But while I am here, I will live by the laws of freedom in Jesus, doing what lies within my power, believing what has been promised to me, and obtaining what I need for my life on earth.
Jesus loves me and teaches me happiness. He is preparing me for life among the living, unfallen beings who fill the universe. Even here on earth, He writes the laws of Heaven upon my heart.
I see a great blessing in not feeding my mind and my spiritual nature by watching television, movies, and news, listening to secular radio, or reading secular books and magazines. When necessity or chance brings me into contact with these things, I see how destructively they can affect me. We have been given so many testimonies and so much light that, whenever we have free time, we can study them and put them into practice.
I live in this world and sometimes do not know what is happening in it, although somehow I remain aware of the major events. When people ask me what is happening in Germany, I can share only what I see around me. And I see everything beautiful, and I live wonderfully in these surroundings.
Meekness is the ability to carry on a conversation while respecting the opinions and feelings of others. Not everything requires my comments, and people do not always want to know my opinion. But when another person’s heart opens to kind words, it is a pleasure to fill and inspire that heart.
Meekness perceives the spirit that moves another person and finds the right approach to that soul.
The position in life of a meek person is defined by selfless service. Jesus identified this as the highest quality of the soul: to be the servant of all. A person can be such a servant even when he is in authority. At times it is necessary to exercise authority and discipline others or restrain evil behavior, but while loving people, one can still help them and care for them.
In the greater scheme of things, the earth and its eternal inheritance are promised to the meek, and that is no small promise. When Jesus calls everyone to learn from Him, He says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” He points to meekness and humility in His own character as an example to follow and promises rest for the soul as the reward.
A meek and quiet spirit is the finest adornment for any woman or young lady. Many successfully learn this and then bring joy to their husbands, children, and loved ones throughout their lives.
I once failed to understand the meaning of the beauty of a meek and quiet spirit. I believed that outward beauty should reflect the inner world, but now I see that it is exactly the opposite. It can be very difficult to explain to my young friends that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God is worthy of praise.
Consider the animal world, for example. What kind of pets would you want in your home: those that are meek and obedient toward you, or those that ruin everything around them, show you no respect, and sometimes bite and scratch you? Answer for yourself.
I am meek. This is the happiest disposition of a spirit that is at peace with God, entrusts its plans and life to God, recognizes its dependence upon God, and clings to Him with all its heart. Such people are peacemakers because they see no point in conflict and know how to surrender ambitious positions while winning the battles. Jesus calls them overcomers and promises them very much.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Meekness is not acquired all at once. It develops and becomes established in the heart throughout a lifetime with Christ. It is God’s gift to His children who love Him.
I am meek. This condition of soul endows its possessor with the peace of Heaven and joy in the Lord. There is no need to speak about it. It is already evident both to the person who possesses a meek spirit and to those around him.
But not everything Heaven values pleases the world. Evil people will always find many taunts, labels, and insults for the meek, and these can be overcome only with love and good deeds. The Lord knows how to protect His children and what to permit in their lives.
Love is humble, meek, obedient, and full of good works.
Blessed are the meek. In this lie strength and truth. The meek know it. They possess it, and they are truly happy.
Bible verses for this chapter:
Matthew 5:5–11; Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29; Genesis 25:27; Psalm 25:8–9, 14; 34:3; 45:2–9; 141:6; Proverbs 14:30; 15:1; 25:15; 30:32–33; 31:26; Ecclesiastes 10:4