But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.~Psalm 37:11 NKJV
Plowing with a mule requires a great deal of meekness and mastering power through discipline.
At twelve years of age, my grandfather was left to run the family farm and tend to his mother and siblings, who still lived at home. A task he might not have mastered had it not been for an uncle who helped him.
Farmers used mules for plowing fields, but mules often proved stubborn. And so could Uncle Ransom. He had a habit of fussing the mule out, which resulted in its stubborn refusal to move or a crooked row. My grandfather would intervene, talking gently to the mule. The mule would then cooperate and plow a straight row.
Eventually, my grandfather left the farm and began selling ice, then milk, and finally ice cream. Many a customer was gruff with him or with other delivery companies. But my grandfather’s meekness had a way of winning over those stubborn customers.
According to the psalmist, God will reward the meek with the earth and peace. Jesus says a similar thing thousands of years later in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:5).
Some associate meekness with weakness and avoid it as if it were a plague. But the two are not the same. Meekness is power under control, just as the mule controlled his temper and his ability to harm the person who wanted him to work, and instead worked for the person giving the orders.
David demonstrated meekness when King Saul attempted to kill him and when he fought the giant Goliath. Jesus demonstrated meekness when he refused to retaliate against those who abused him and tried to take his life.
We demonstrate meekness when we follow their examples. We may have rights and power, but we voluntarily give them up when we could retaliate, become angry, plan revenge, or undermine those who harm us. Meekness is acting as Jesus did. It’s a willingness to take the lowest place and let Christ elevate us rather than attempting to do it ourselves. Greatness in God’s sight is not how many people serve us but how many people we serve.
The inheritance and peace that come from being meek come from knowing we’re living as Christ wants us to live. And in eternity, God will reward us.
Be meek, not weak, and look for the rewards God will give you now and later. You can succeed at mastering power through discipline.
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at mandmwiles@gmail.com.
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