INTRODUCTION

Many people view meekness as an inherent weakness, yet the Bible corrects this faulty notion. The ability to demonstrate meekness in a time of ridicule or persecution displays strength. Today's passage reveals that a man slow to anger is “better than the mighty.” In fact, a man that “ruleth his spirit” is better than a military conqueror who “taketh a city.” Rather than a weakness, the ability to demonstrate meekness is a sign of great strength. The Bible declares that the Lord Jesus Christ was meek (Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
See All...); yet He simultaneously held the world together “by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
See All...). We see that God referred to Moses as meek, yet he had the power through the Lord to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
See All...) and to open the earth and swallow his enemies (Numbers 16:28-34 [28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
See All...). Weak individuals respond in anger when attacked; those who are strong exercise meekness.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): No one is stronger than God. The Bible says God is slow to anger and of great kindness. It is easy to strike back with our words or hands when someone does us wrong. God says you are strongest when you control those feelings and show kindness instead.
• (For everyone): Are you concerned that your meekness may be perceived by others as a weakness? Why does this concern you if it pleases God? Whom do you want to please?
• Do you think of the Lord Jesus as weak? Do you consider Moses to be an example of weakness? Do you think those who lived in their days considered them weak? If not, then why do we think we are weak when we exhibit meekness in our interactions with others?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to show you the strength of meekness.
• Ask God to help you desire to please Him especially when others are treating you badly.

HYMN

Come Unto Me (Jones)

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