Understanding

In Search of Meekness

Ken

Meekness is a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Yahweh. “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger” (Zephaniah 2:3 KJV). Not so strangely, the fiery giver of the Law, “Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Driving the moneychangers out of the Temple, Jesus previously said, “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” (Matthew 11:29). Meekness is most commonly viewed by the world as humbly patient, quiet in nature, overly submissive, or compliant. Bible study aids will do better, pointing out the meek are not proud, haughty, supercilious, self-assertive, low in rank or position, but favored by God. But, why does God take especial pleasure in the meek? Jesus already said it. When we take His yoke upon us (Matthew 11:29), like two oxen joined for labor, we will “learn” (11:29) of Him, as we come into step with Him, we become like Him, for He is meek. 

If meekness is a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Yahweh, then all, who would enter the Kingdom of God, must be meek. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Notice how often the concept of God’s judgment is discussed around the words “meekness” or “meek” (KJV). Instead of meekness, modern translations most often use the word “humble.” For the world, meekness means weakness, but not with God. “When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah” (Psalm 76:9). “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4). 

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Meekness biblically approximates the concept of willingness, as in, willingness to do the will of God is to be a Christian. Meekness has the advantage of being the Almighty’s choice, which comes with numerous promises. What won’t God do for the meek? (1) God gives the meek satisfaction that the world can’t get, i.e., “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever” (Psalm 22:26). (2) God grants the meek guidance and teaching about His way and how to make correct decisions, i.e., “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way” (Psalm 25:9). (3) Dominion over the earth in peace is granted to the meek, i.e., “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). (4) Lifting up the meek, while casting down the wicked, is promised by the LORD, i.e., “The LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:6). (5) Salvation is granted to the meek, because they please Him, i.e., “For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). (6) Joy and rejoicing belong to the meek, for who wouldn’t rejoice with all of God’s promises? “The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 29:19). (7) Good tidings, binding up, liberty, and release are appointed for the meek, i.e., “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

NT meekness is also a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Christ. What does Christ expect of the meek? (1) Jesus meekly has presented Himself as Messiah the King to the meek, i.e., “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matthew 21:5). (2) Christ values highly the gentle and quiet spirit of a meek wife, i.e., “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1Peter 3:4). (3) Christ expects us to restore fallen brothers and sisters meekly, i.e., “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). (4) Christ expects us to meekly instruct others to gain their repentance, i.e., “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2Timothy 2:25). (5) Christ expects us to speak gently, meekly to everyone, not seeking confrontation, i.e., “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2). (6) Christ expects a meekness of wisdom from our lifestyle, i.e., “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew [shō] out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). (7) Christ expects us to meekly answer anyone why we hope in Christ. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15).

Father, grant to us a meek and quiet spirit, and may we learn to value meekness as highly as You do. Cause Your Spirit to work in us the fruit of meekness. Multiply it within us, stay not Your hand. Increase our understanding of meekness. May Your people abound in meekness so the “earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen. 

How Did He Do That?

Ken

The universe is large, and uncertainty is uncomfortable. Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity addressed gravity’s effect upon regions of high scale and large mass (planets, stars, galaxies), while Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and others’ Quantum Mechanics dealt with the microscopic phenomena of regions of very small scale and low mass (atoms, molecules, subatomic particles). Attempts to integrate relativity and quantum for an explanation of the universe gives us the elusive and hypothetical Theory of Everything (TOE). Neither classical nor more modern physics (String Theory) has achieved TOE; but, not so strangely, the metaphysical has already proposed the solution. Without further comment, notice how the language of Scripture would turn the research of modern science into an investigation of “How did the Creator do it?” and “How can we use that understanding to solve the world’s problems?” “12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [qualified] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:12-17 KJV). LORD, we worship You as our Creator and desire the opportunity to fashion this world into an expression of Your wisdom, love, and grace. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Willingness to Do the Will of God

Ken1 Comment

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own” (John 7:17 NIV). Willingness to do the will of God must precede God’s willingness to teach us. Either we impose our will upon God, or we submit our will to His. From the beginning it was so. Angelic or human moral agents from Lucifer to Adam to us, all have the necessity of admitting God is in a position of preeminence over us. Anyone reading the Gospel of John, who is willing to do the will of God, will understand Jesus’ claims of divinity and sacrifice for our sins. 

Choicest Fruit of Wisdom

Ken

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7 KJV). Pilots are required to stay current with their flying because piloting an aircraft is a perishable skill. Old age destroys the connections of our memory. Wisdom is ingrained in our understanding. Unlike even the muscle memory of repetitive actions, wisdom is more deeply encoded in our understanding of reality. “If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (Psalm 137:6 KJV). May our understanding of the Almighty be our wisdom.

Is Faith Optional?

Ken

Is faith optional? No, doubting God is the alternative to faith. Do we have to believe? Yes, it is our only way to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). Everything about our life requires faith. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Corinthians 5:7 KJV). Faith has a relationship with love, opportunity, and understanding. Faith is compelled and “worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6 KJV), while the opportunity and understanding of faith are considered purposely rejected, whenever one “knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 KJV). It does us good to think through God’s thoughts after Him. We are only guilty of over analyzing, when we are stalling for time and should be doing.

Does Better Understanding Build Better Faith?

Ken

Better understanding does build better faith. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48 KJV). When do we have enough understanding to believe God? The LORD knew that Gideon was not guilty of the sin of unbelief though he put out the fleece for a sign (Judges 6). Zacharias did not believe the angel’s announcement about the coming birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:20), so God struck him mute. We have enough understanding when we know what we should do. For “him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 KJV). We need to practice arriving at a forthright conclusion and acting on it. The best course is straightforward.

According to Your Faith

Ken

Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 KJV), not, ‘According to what others say you ought to think, be it unto you.’ To believe God, it is your responsibility to understand what He said, be certain that He did say it, then simply believe it. Believing is acting like you’re relying on the truth of what He said. If you really believe it’s going to rain, bring an umbrella. If you really believe you will pass the examination, then don’t be worried or fretful. Don’t complicate things by becoming anxious about consequences, whether something will come to pass. Be childlike and vulnerable with your faith. In reality, we are generally more concerned about what others will think, if what we believe does not come to pass. That’s Belief By Consensus. That fear of embarrassment will stop us from believing. Lord, help us to develop the habit of taking You at your word. Amen and amen.