“Be like the rose that perfumeth the hand that crusheth it.”
This week I’d like to share a lesson we can learn from the rose flower that perfumes the hand that crushes it.
What is our normal response when someone hits us? To strike back and yet as Christians,we know better. This week I'd like to share with you the 8th Fruit in our SPIRITUAL FRUIT SALAD : MEEKNESS – a highly unpopular if not totally alien trait in today’s upside down world which preaches the gospel of SURVIVAL & Self preservation at any cost with the modus operandi of blowing one’s own trumpet and getting rid of anything/ anyone in the way.
What Meekness is NOT :
Contrary to popular belief, meekness is not cowardice /lack of conviction.It is NOT mere human niceness. Meekness is also not being a spineless doormat who does not know to be assertive. MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS.
WHAT THEN, IS MEEKNESS?
Meekness is GENTLESNESS, a virtue that draws courage, strength, conviction and a good disposition from God and not from self. It is "ABSOLUTE POWER UNDER PERFECT CONTROL.”
Let's see what the Bible says about MEEKNESS:
Mathew 5:5 : “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Numbers 12:3 : “Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth and hence was used greatly by God.”
Jesus set the perfect example of meekness. Mathew 11:29 : “ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Isa 53:7: “ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
Philippians 2:5-10 : “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
The Lord esteems the meek : Isaiah 66:2 “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
The Lord takes pleasure in the meek: Psalms 149:4 “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”
The Lord raises up the meek: Psalms 147:6 “The LORD lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground”.
When treated wrongly/ unjustly, we may feel like retaliating and giving the person who offended us a taste of their own medicine and yet what the Lord teaches us is not to resist an evil person. Mathew 5:39 : “when someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other one also to him”
It can be very difficult to obey God in this area especially when treated unjustly, but we can rest assured because Deu 32:35 says : “ Venegance is the Lord’s and He will repay the wrongdoers.” So we just need to trust the Lord to deal with those who offend us.
When it gets hard to forgive, we can remember our Perfect Lord Jesus ; the epitome of meekness, The triumphant Lion of Judah and yet the humble Lamb of God - Meek and Majestic at the same time!
Let me conclude with a suitable verse: 1 Peter 3:4 “ Clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
Click to enjoy this beautiful song : HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD.
Have a great week!
Take care, God bless,
Sparky laurie
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