Strength and gentleness may seem to be opposites, but I say they are a combination inspired by God. This combination defines real meekness. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” -Jesus, Matthew 5:5-6
Meekness also goes hand in hand with righteousness. Jesus has no intention of putting weak and unjust people in control, but the meek and righteous people need to stand up to be heard. We are not to respond to threats of anarchy and tyranny with that same source of strength.
“The word Jesus used here for meek is a Greek term that describes the breaking of a powerful stallion,” wrote Greg Laurie for Harvest Daily Devotions, “In the same way, when we surrender ourselves to God’s will, we exhibit meekness.” *
We are to respond, and even take the initiative, with the bridled power of the Living God and the Inspired Word of God. Psalm 37 gives some very direct instructions on how to move and use our Creators strength and gentleness to walk in satisfaction as we inherit [possess] the land.
Please sit with the following passage. Meditate on, and journal, what Holy Spirit shows you about the combination of strength and gentleness with righteousness. How do we get there, and stay there? What does God want us to avoid, and to enter into? What is our Creators perspective. Spoiler alert: verse 13 may be my favorite.
5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.
6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.
7 Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait andhope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the evildoers will be no more; though you look with care where they used to be, they will not be found.
11 But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plot against the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright in right standing with God); they gnash at them with their teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at [the wicked], for He sees that their own day [of defeat] is coming.
May Abba lead you into fresh insights on strength and gentleness that can help you stand righteously. And may Abba grant you peace, rest, hope and courage, knowing you are walking with the One. Please let me know where Holy Spirit leads you.
