Inheritance Of The Meek

INHERITANCE OF THE MEEK

Text: Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
These words of Jesus are found in the first part of what has come to be known as the 'Beatitudes' or beautiful teachings. They have struck a chord in the hearts of men everywhere. The earth's multitudes, whether known as peasants, servants, serfs, slaves or citizens have always had a common longing; to own their own home and land. This desire has fueled many revolutions and led to the expansion of the U.S.A. across the continent as people from all nations came seeking their part of 'The American Dream'.

Years ago I jokingly said, to an elderly Native American friend, "maybe we should give the country back to the Indians". His reply was, ' Hmph, What would we do with it now? It would take a hundred years to get the hunting back into decent shape!"

The meek shall indeed inherit the earth, but what would we do with it in its present condition? Consider the mess we would inherit. Were it not for the inflated values placed upon material things, the total net worth of all nations wouldn’t cover the national debts!

Mankind finds itself in a seemingly insoluble dilemma. On the one hand, there are the teeming multitudes of humanity, for which the necessities of life must be provided, while on the other hand, there are those who complain that the industrial and agricultural activities which provide them, are threatening to make the earth unfit for habitation!

While the search frantically goes on for answers, the conflicting ideologies of nations holds the constant threat of destructive war over our heads. The moral fiber of mankind deteriorates steadily, even as a large segment of the population seeks what they call a 'meaningful relationship with God.Truly, as we look around us we see what Jesus referred to as the distress (perplexity) of nations. Luke 21:25 'and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;

The question that comes to mind is this; If the meek should inherit the earth in its present condition, would it make them happy? What would they do with it? If there were not some changes made first, could they keep it? If the devil and his crowd were still around in force, and with as few restrictions on them as they have today, all they would have to do is slap the meek on one cheek, and while they were busy turning the other, steal away their inheritance!

Does all this mean that Jesus was not serious when He promised that the "Meek shall inherit the earth?" NO! He did mean it and He meant it literally. However, there are going to be some changes made before He turns it over to those of His people who shall reign over it.

The meek will not inherit an earth filled with hatred, sin, godlessness, poverty, pollution and war. Rather they will be given a world that has been restored to the condition He intended it to be when He created it.

Men may search for, and politicians may promise, peace and prosperity, but until the time comes that the meek shall inherit the earth, there will be no lasting peace and no universal prosperity.

If it were possible for the nations to divert all the technical knowledge, energy, and wealth, now being spent on armament, to wipe out poverty and want, progress might be made toward that goal. This is not possible, however, because with human nature being depraved as it is, any nation that tried such a thing, would soon find themselves at the mercy of another nation with a craving for dominance.

Will things ever change? YES! But it will not come about by the efforts of man but by the power of Christ the King.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

To have assurance of that time helps us to understand why those who have their minds fixed upon spiritual things are not overwhelmed by this present evil world.It will be a time of true world peace.
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

No need then, for a standing army to drain the manpower, or huge defense budgets to claim the major part of the economy. Christ, Himself, shall sit upon David's throne, ruling with a rod of iron. World peace will reign, for the Prince of Peace will speak with absolute authority.

Since Adam was driven from the Garden, mankind has longed to return to its prosperous environment.. He has dreamed up his Utopias and wars on poverty. He sincerely expected science to solve all his problems. All he got for his troubles, was more of the same old thing. The more prosperous some became, the more visible and miserable the ‘have nots’ viewed themselves.
This will all be different when we receive our inheritance.
Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Isa 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Since Adam sinned, the earth has been under the curse placed upon it.
Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Like the curse of sin upon the human soul, that curse is lifted through Jesus Christ. I can almost hear Isaiah shout with joy as he pens the words,
Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Many today worry and fret about man upsetting the balance of nature. That will be of no concern then, for the Author of nature will be in charge. Just who are these ‘Meek’ who shall inherit the earth? No, He is not speaking of the weak-kneed milquetoast who hasn’t the back bone to say "no" to sin. Rather he is referring to those who are humble and submissive to His will.

Neither beatings, stoning, imprisonment, shipwreck, cold, hunger nor threat of death, could keep the Apostle Paul from speaking boldly before kings and magistrates of the saving grace of Christ. Yet it was with the deepest meekness and humility that he writes.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

It may not fit our concept of meekness, to picture Peter and those who labored with him , defying the Sanhedrin, to preach Christ. Yet it is with true meekness that he says,
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. And,
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
No one can even think of claiming this promised inheritance until he has come in meekness and humility, repenting of his sins, and been born again of the Spirit of God.
It is to those who have been born again, that Paul speaks,
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Please note that even though every child is an heir, only those who suffer with Christ, are joint heirs with Him. The need for meekness does not end with salvation, but continues as we follow meekly in Scriptural service to our Lord. It is of himself, and those who have been meek enough to follow Christ, that John speaks,
Rev 1:5 Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Yes, the meek shall indeed inherit the earth. But not by the power of a Will that might be contested in an earthly court, but by a grant from the King Of Kings.

WHEN I STAND BEFORE HIM

When I shall stand before my Lord,
With all earth’s moments past,
No more to till His vineyard
But to reap reward at last,

Then, I wonder, will I hear Him say,
Well done, my child, well done;
You’ve labored long and faithfully
And many crowns you’ve won.

Will He say, You pleased me daily
As so diligently you worked,
Telling souls of saving grace
And almost never shirked?

When at last I stand before Him,
Will He greet me with a smileAnd say,
Rest now, weary Pilgrim,
You’ve trod your final mile?

Or, when I stand before Him
Will I hear Him sadly say,
You wasted precious hours.
You threw you life away.

You let the days and weeks slip by,
As pleasure's cup you drank,
You have no treasures stored here
They’re in some earthly bank!

I know someday I’ll see Him;
I shall stand before His throne
And hear the words, Thou slothful servant,
Or, Well done my child well done.

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