Blessed! Part 3
Welcome back to our series on the Beatitudes. I hope you are enjoying and learning, as much as I am. As we continue to walk through the teachings of Jesus, we see that He set this up as a reference point for us. To help guide our choices and develop our character as Jesus-followers.
RECAP:
Blessed - ”This was a powerful word to those who heard Jesus that day. To them it meant “divine joy and perfect happiness.” The word was not used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the gods or the dead. “Blessed” implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him!” ~ Warren Wiersbe
Poor in Spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of God - To view ourselves in a humble and lowly way, to see our guilt and need. Like a begger, we have nothing to offer and everything to gain.
Those who mourn, will be comforted - In our times of grief; repentance from our sin, we will be comforted. We are not left alone.
“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”
~ Matthew 5:5
We have all heard that MEEK means to be self-controlled, gentle, power under control. It’s not about being weak, but having self-control. Which in and of itself can be challenging enough. But let’s add humble.
Both Moses and Jesus were described as humble men.
“(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble
than anyone else on the face of the earth.)”
~ Numbers 12:3
Can you imagine that being said about you? Let your mind think through the life of Moses and all the things he walked through, from the time of his birth to when he couldn’t enter the Promised Land. Remember when Moses was in the cleft of the rock and God walked by? And the time He had to cover his face because the Glory of God was so bright? And how Moses would meet with God in the tent?
I would bet my last Snickers that being so close to God and hearing God’s heart and plans, was what brought a true perspective of who Moses was. He was face-to-face with the God, the Creator of the Universe. He knew he was not all that and a slice of bread.
I love this definition of being humble: “Being known for who you are and who you are not.”
There’s nothing like seeing the majesty and magnificence of God to keep us honest about who we are and who we are not.
Then there was Jesus. Jesus who was with God at the very beginning of everything. Who took no glory for Himself, but did everything to proclaim God’s love and heart for His people and point them to Him. He had nothing to prove. He knew Who He was.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
you will find rest for your souls.”
~ Matthew 11:29
Jesus was not self-reliant, He was God-reliant. He walked with God through everything. He tells us to do the same. It is when we are God-reliant that we have rest for our souls. 1 Peter 5:6 tells us when we humble ourselves under HIS mighty hand, when the time is right we will be lifted up.
Both Moses and Jesus humbled themselves under God’s mighty hand. They rested. They waited. Moses waited 40 years to deliver the Jews from Egypt. Jesus waited 30 years to start His earthly ministry that would lead to His death and our freedom.
One commentator said it this way: “One who is meek has the character that is tranquil and untroubled. They quietly submit to God. Their serenity helps them find true joy in all conditions of life.”
Doesn’t that describe what you think Moses and Jesus would be like. Except for that time Moses let Israel get to him, he lashed out in anger and lost going into the Promised Land. I don’t think I would have made it that long. I have a long way to go before I will always feel tranquil and untroubled. OY!
Let’s take a deep breath! We do not have to strive to find or fight for our inheritance or what He has for us. Don’t you find that so life-giving?
“But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”
~ Psalm 37:11
“Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct
him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity
and his descendants will inherit the land.”
~ Psalm 25:12&13
God has something so special and specific for each of us to do. The promise here is we will inherit = possess, acquire and obtain it when we walk in a gentle, humble way. Not striving and fussing. Resting. The question then becomes: Can we trust that God has our good at the very heart of everything He does? Can we be slow to anger in frustrating circumstances? Can we respond humbly and rest in unfair situations? Can we quietly submit to God instead of pushing and fighting for what we want?
So, Chosen Of God, we have a choice to make. What do you choose?
Get some rest this weekend and trust that God is working on your behalf.
All My Love,
~ Jodi xo
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