“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”

I’ve known a lot of strong people. People that can tear phonebooks in half, pick up small cars, and have hand crushing handshakes; people that have endured childbirth, tax season, and survived the most terrible grief; others that run businesses, volunteer in their community, and commit thousands of dollars to charities. No matter how strong people may seem, Jesus says the greatest strength is found in being meek.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
Meek is being strong enough to tackle what stands in your way while having the restraint and perspective to create space for God to work. We can be meek because we know that no matter what happens nothing can take away our God given strength. It’s liberating to recognize no matter what happens, our strength is found through God’s unbreakable bond of love.

When you wrap your head around God’s love and protection you can rejoice in the beauty that God restores in and through Christ. When everything considered valuable in life is seen to be nothing in comparison to the glory of Christ you learn rather well that Christ alone is work living for. There’s no need to retaliate, avenge, or make things right when we realize it’s not our job. God has made things right.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility (meekness) count others more significant than yourself.
Philippians 2:3

THEY INHERIT THE EARTH
How would you like your family inheritance to include the earth? Your resources would be seemingly limitless. The earth is a big place, but when you compare it to the known universe it’s relatively small. Scripture clearly expresses that we are joint heirs with Christ. This opens up more than just the earth as an inheritance. So what did Jesus mean when he said the meek will inherit the earth? Lets take a look at the implications of what Jesus said through the history of God’s people and attempt to find a common thread that still rings true today.

Past implications
In Psalm 37:11 we find a very similar scripture. “The meek shall posses the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” This scripture was written to the Jews during their exile. They hoped to receive the lands promised by God. It’s important to remember the end result was not the Promised Land; it was a restored relationship with God. God’s goal was to position His chosen people to be a light to the world. The past implication was about a deeper relationship with God.

Present implications
Ephesians 1:13-14 clearly illustrates our present implications. “13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Again God gives us the privilege to enjoy the benefits of our inheritance before the coming age by sending us the Holy Spirit. This further builds the case for God’s desire to give us an inheritance that is based on our relationship with Him rather than physical locality. It is good to remember that Christians living in submission to the Lord and allowing the Spirit to lead, guide, and direct fulfills the same role that God desired for His chosen people in the Old Testament – To be a light that shines the Glory of God to the ends of the earth.

Future implications
Revelation 21:4 gives us a brief but beautiful description of our inheritance: “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” God and man will dwell together. Everything will be made new. The bejeweled city, New Jerusalem, will be our residence. The river of life will issue from God’s throne. The healing tree of life with twelve kinds of fruit will grow there, too. There will be no night there, because the eternal light of the Lamb will fill the new heaven and new earth and shine upon all the heirs of God.

Beyond the colorful picture painted in Revelation we can establish a common thread established in the past and present implications. No matter what the New Jerusalem, the river of life, or the tree of life truly are, the main point of this passage remains the same. God longs to completely restore His family, us, to himself. Heaven will be established through God’s relationship with His people, not the characteristics or geographical location of Heaven.

Suppose God came to a man and said, “The world and all that is in it is yours. I will give you perfect health. Whatever your heart desires is yours. I will even do away with sin and death and enable you to live forever.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? The whole world at your disposal – no sin, eternal life? To good, perhaps. “There is only one thin you will not have.” God would say in this imaginary exchange. “You will never see My face. The choice is yours. I will respect your wish.” Heaven isn’t heaven without God. Inheriting the earth without God is no inheritance. God is our inheritance.

The implications of these truths change the way we emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually react. Life is no longer handicapped by self, its illuminated by our relationship with God. We have the privilege of enjoying freedom in Christ and rest from defending ourselves. He’s already won all our battles. We can rest easy, knowing, “it is finished.”

THINK ABOUT IT
What did/will it take for God to give you meekness?

How would your life change if you truly believed you will inherit the earth?