Scripture: Matthew 5:5; Ps 37:1-11

Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the Earth.

Jesus taught that meekness must be a characteristic of those who want to have a share in His kingdom.

What does meekness truly mean? How can we be meek?

What Meekness IS NOT:

• Weakness
• Lack of Courage
• Wishy-washy

What Meekness IS

Background on Ps 37

• Written by King David in his old age
• Written years before Jesus started His ministry
• Instructed that the meek, not the wicked, who shall inherit the earth

1 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. 4 Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart. 5 Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. 6 And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, and thy justice as the noon-day. 7 Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing. 9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.(Ps 37:1-11)

I. Do Not Fret

¹ Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness. ² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb... ^7b Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way ... ^8b Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing. (Ps 37:1-2, 7-8)

"Do not fret" means "do not get heated up"

A meek person need not fret because he knows who his God is!

"Evil men instead of being envied, are to be viewed with horror and aversion; yet their loaded tables, and gilded trappings, are too apt to fascinate our poor half-opened eyes." - Charles Spurgeon

II. Trust in the Lord and Do Good

Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. (Ps 37:4)

The meek has deep confidence in God for he believes God knows the best.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

III. Delight In The Lord

Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart. (Ps 37:4)

God's Presence is the ultimate weapon against hopelessness.

Delight: "to be brought up in luxury, to be pampered."

• Do you enjoy God?
• Do you enjoy the things that please God?
• Do you enjoy the fellowship you shared with Him?
• What do you treasure most in your heart?
• Do you desire God the giver or His gift of blessings?

IV. Commit Their Way to the Lord

⁵ Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. ⁶ And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, and thy justice as the noon-day. (Ps 37:5-6)

Commit: "to roll off your burden"

"Dislodge the burden from your shoulders and lay it on God." - H. C. Leupold

V. Quiet Yourself Before God and Wait For Him

Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him. (Ps 37:7)

"Be silent to God and let Him mold thee. Keep still and He will mold thee to the right shape." - Martin Luther

VI. Refrain From Anger

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Ps 37:8)

¹ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. ² And they said, Hath Jehovah indeed spoken only with Moses? hath he not spoken also with us? And Jehovah heard it. ³ Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth. ⁴ And Jehovah spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting. And they three came out. (Num 12:1-4)

Moses:

• 1. did not fret
• 2. trusted the Lord and do good
• 3. delighted himself in the Lord
• 4. committed his way to the Lord
• 5. waited before the Lord
• 6. refrained from anger

Blessed are the Meek, for they… "shall inherit the earth!"

But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Ps 37:11)

The inheritance of the earth is a promise for the now, as well as a promise for the future.