Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
--Parallel verses:
Psalms 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
I like the Amplified version’s expansion of meekness here, as it is a word not used very much in today’s conversational English. Gentile, kind-hearted, sweet-spirited, and self-controlled all wrapped into one is what being meek is all about.
Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, Billy Graham, and Corrie ten Boom are all well-known examples of meekness. Gentile people consider their speech and actions before they speak or act. They seek good counsel frequently. They ask questions to try and understand the other person’s perspective, what is on their heart, and how to be a good friend.
I have tried to grow in this area recently. It was truly a weakness for me for many years. Some might have said for a hard-charger like me it would be impossible to learn a greater measure of meekness. And by the world’s standards they might be right. But God specializes in the impossible and so I have faith he can change me.
The Ephesians passage gives us some rewards or targets for our gentleness efforts: we can exhibit a “bearing-with-you”-type of love and we can help keep unity in the church around the Spirit of God.
It also speaks to the prosperity of gentle people. They will ultimately inherit the earth. This speaks to how people remember them when they are prosperous or looking to pass on assets at the end of their life. A listening and gentle ear is rare and it is rewarded!
Lord, please keep teaching me how to be gentle and gracious with others. To be patient and let them develop in your hands. And to help them bear their burdens with love. Lead the way, Lord Jesus! I will follow!
