The word meek is a misunderstood word. In today's culture a meek man would be viewed as someone who let's people walk all over him; someone who doesn't have a lot of drive or vision; someone who just rolls over and takes life's punches. That is far from what Jesus meant when he used this word. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the original Greek word literally means a person who accepts God's dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting; someone who wholly relies upon God and not their own strength; it is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. To be meek is to be a person who totally depends upon God for everything in life.

I believe the word goes one step beyond that. Meekness is also the character quality that never takes credit for what only God can do. Moses, the meekest man on earth, got into trouble when he violated this principle in his life by taking matters into his own hands in the desert by trying to make water come out of the rock through his own doing. The mistake he made was that he set aside his meekness for a moment and tried to step into God's role of being the sole provider for His people.

Meekness is an incredibly tough trait to master. You can't turn meekness on or off. You either have it, or you don't. Meekness is the fruit of a life that is lived in total, desperate dependence upon God for everything, and when He provides, you never take credit for it. That is the tough part. We have to resist the urge to think we had anything to do with it. Humans love to take the limelight and tend to get jealous when others succeed. If you have ever worked in the corporate setting you know this first hand as you have watched people jockey for recognition when the big sale is made or some project was completed. Meekness is not easily found in today's culture.

There is a reward for meekness and it's a big one. The meek will inherit the earth. I think what Jesus is getting at is that the meek will enjoy the fruits of their character in this lifetime while here on earth. You won't have to wait until you get to heaven for this one. Jesus was using a paradox here. When you rely on Him and determine that only He will get the credit and glory for your life, then He in turn will give you everything. Does that sound familiar? Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." This is strength in weakness.

Lord, teach us to be meek - to be completely dependent upon You for every detail of our lives.