I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Meekness Isn’t Weakness
Everything around us—the world, the culture, the people—tends to applaud power and strength, independence and intelligence, boldness and superiority.
But in the third beatitude—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus highlighted something different, saying:
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 NIV
The English word "meek" comes from the Greek word "praeis." It means gentle, humble, or submissive; modest, mild, or unpretentious. In fact, when Paul describes the “fruits of the Spirit” (traits developed in His people by His Spirit), the words "meekness" and "gentleness" are often used interchangeably.
But, let’s be clear: If such descriptions paint a frail and feeble picture in your mind, you can be certain that meekness isn’t weakness.
Meekness is strength under control. It's power submitted to God’s authority.
Now, if “meek” isn’t a word that you’d use to currently describe yourself, that’s okay. Jesus wasn’t speaking to those who had it all together—and He isn’t expecting a perfect version of us, either. Instead, He’s extending a blessing on who His people were (and are) becoming.
God is continually developing these beatitude traits inside of His followers. He's refining, sanctifying, and transforming us to be more and more like Him.
In Scripture, Jesus Himself is called “meek.” But as you probably know, He was far from passive, apathetic, or a pushover. Instead of relying on His own power—like summoning legions of angels to avoid hanging on that cross—He leaned into God’s strength and restrained His limitless power.
Jesus’ upside-down kingdom will be packed with those who harness their strength for God’s glory and who humble themselves at His feet.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, ...
Fulfillment of God’s Promises
Hundreds of years before Jesus, the people of God were in trouble.
They were stuck in life, unable to help themselves, and perhaps beginning to doubt that God would save them. Have you ever felt the same way? If so, you might relate to the original audience of this verse—the exiles in Babylon.
The Babylonians conquered God's people and land, sending them hundreds of miles away. Maybe they thought that God had abandoned them, or that He couldn’t hear their cries. But God is always close—especially when His people call on His name.
Isaiah let his people know that God would provide a way out of Babylonian captivity. And God kept His promise, allowing His people to return home.
Generations later, many of God’s people saw themselves as being in a new exile. They were home, but all was not well. So they remembered this verse and its promise—that no matter how dark or desperate our situation might be, God is able to provide a path out of brokenness, ...
