Though linked with
gentleness, meekness is not simply a person’s outward behavior towards his
fellow-man. It is rather “an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of
it are first and chiefly towards God” (Trench). Whatever the circumstances may
be, all is accepted as from Him without questioning or resisting in any way His
hand. The heart is at rest in Him, entirely submissive to Him. Even the insults
and injuries of evil men, or of brethren, are received as disciplinary measures
of God for the purifying of the soul and the cultivating of this Christian
grace. Meekness is the opposite of self-interest and self-assertiveness. As
another puts it:“It is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast
down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all” (Vine).

  Now meekness is not
weakness, though at times it may appear to be so. Rather is it the fruit of
power, and that the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23). The Lord Jesus could
not be charged with weakness of character, yet He is the perfect Example of
meekness. He could say as none other, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt.
11:29), when He sets Himself forth as the Rest for the weary and as the Teacher
of the soul. Also, it is as King that He rides into Jerusalem, “meek, and
sitting upon an ass” (Matt. 21:5). The apostle Paul links this meekness of
Christ with might and power in 2 Corinthians 10. It was by this “meekness and
gentleness of Christ” (v. 1) that he besought the saints, yet bearing at the
same time a testimony to them that was “weighty and powerful” (v. 10).

  The proper Christian
adornment, according to Peter, is a “meek and quiet spirit.” It springs from
the hidden man of the heart, is incorruptible and in the sight of God of great
price (1 Pet. 3:4). It is contrasted with what is merely external and
corruptible, and is linked with a trust in God which adorned women of old time
who were subject to their husbands. Likewise, the apostle Paul includes “meekness”
in the list of graces that become the elect of God in Col. 3:12, and these he
exhorts them to put on.

  The place which meekness
should have in our lives is clearly outlined in various Scriptures. We shall
briefly mention a few references for meditation.

  The “spirit of meekness” is
to characterize the one who seeks to restore the erring brother (Gal. 6:1).

  The “man of God” is to
“follow after … meekness” (1 Tim. 6:11); he is to show “all meekness to all
men” (Tit. 3:2); he is to exhibit the same when seeking to instruct those who
oppose (2 Tim. 2:25).

  In endeavoring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, it should be with “meekness” (Eph.
4:2). As to the reception of the Word of God, it should likewise be with
“meekness” (Jas. 1:21). Then, too, when giving an answer to those who ask us of
the reason of our hope, “meekness” is enjoined upon us (1 Pet. 3:15).

  The blessings promised to
the meek are surely an incentive to the believer. The Psalmist promises, “The
meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way” (25:9), and
declares with certainty, “The meek shall eat and be satisfied” (22:26).

  Oh, to have the mind of
Christ in all our attitudes and ways! May the Lord lead us on to follow Him in
a walk in the Spirit, that we may know more the blessedness of meekness, for
His Name’s sake.