HOW DO WE CULTIVATE MEEKNESS?
Matthew 5:5

We are focusing our thoughts once again upon this very powerful third Beatitude:  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  In our last study we stated that meekness was having ones passions under control, of being angry for the right reasons at the right time.  But, how can a person cultivate this character quality of meekness?

First, I believe they need to trust in the Lord.  They need to believe that God can and will do all that He has promised to do.  I am reminded of that great scene in the closing chapters of the book of Joshua.  The people of God had seen the hand of God do some powerful miracles for them upon their entrance into the Promised Land.  The waters of the Jordan had been parted.  The sun had stood still so that a military victory could be achieved.  Wherever they had gone, the presence of God had gone with them.  An aging General Joshua has summoned his beloved people around himself and was giving them his final words of encouragement.  In Joshua 23:14 we read these powerful words of assurance in all of God's promises:  Now I am about to go the way of all the earth.  You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed.  Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.  Now is that incredible or what!  Friends, a meek person is one who trusts God at all times to do everything which He has promised that He will do.  A meek person probably will not understand what God is doing, but the confidence is there nonetheless. 

Secondly, I believe that a person needs to learn to delight in the Lord if they desire to cultivate meekness.  They need to want what God wants  (1253).  I need to daily ask myself if I am wanting for my life what God wants?  If I am wanting for my family what God wants?  If I am wanting for my career and ministry what God wants?  A person cultivating meekness will constantly be evaluating his or her life to make sure that Jesus Christ is still Lord. 

Finally, I believe that a person who truly desires to cultivate meekness in his life must learn to rest in the Lord, to wait patiently for God.  Israel was in a frantic situation as they were entrapped at the Red Sea.  They clamored for Moses to do something.  Yet God told them to be still, to wait.  Martha was busy in her kitchen getting ready to serve Jesus and she was irritated at the irresponsibility of her sister Mary.  Yet Jesus told her it was time to be still, to wait.  The early Church Father, Jerome, wrote these thought provoking words about the necessity of our learning to be still before God:  This is the hardest precept that is given to man; insomuch that the most difficult precept of action sinks into nothing when compared with this command to inaction.  In this day of hurry, meekness has lost its sense of importance because we have not cultivated the habit of waiting upon the Lord. 

Friends, perhaps you are like me; meekness is something difficult to experience in our lives.  There is a fear of just letting go and allowing God to be God in our lives.  We hesitate because of the pressures of our jobs, our families, our recreation, to just take time to be still before God.  We don't trust God as we should.  If you are like me, will you pray with me right now asking God to give us the encouragement to become men and women who are completely dependent upon Him?

Father, We confess before You that the trait of meekness is not a strength in our lives.  We have failed to trust You completely with our lives.  We have called You Lord with our lips, but our lives have failed to give evidence of Your Lordship.  We have clamored for activity and have failed to appreciate those moments of quiet and aloneness with You.   Father, in Your own special way, come and teach us.  In Christ's name we pray,  Amen.

 

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