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.

 

  When the disciples asked
the Lord, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matt. 18:1) it is
evident that they were not expecting an answer such as the Lord gave them. They
needed to be instructed in the “kingdom of heaven,” and the Lord, after His own
perfect manner, teaches them His thoughts of what true greatness is.

  “And Jesus called a little
child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say
unto you, Except you be converted and become as little children, you
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (18:2,3).

  These are stirring and
soul-searching words! What a rebuke to the pride and haughtiness so native to
our hearts! God has decreed that “no flesh [shall] glory in His presence” (1
Cor. 1:29). “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

  How rare a thing it is, in
these days of “great men” and “great things,” to find those whose character
answers to that of a “little child,” even though quite as intelligent as any.
Yet the Lord assures us with His own “verily” that none other shall be found in
His kingdom.

  Man’s way ever since the
fall has been to “get to the top of the heap,” “to be first,” to “look out for
number one.” It was this wretched principle which the arch-usurper suggested to
man in the garden when he said, “You shall be as God” (Gen. 3:5). Man, alas,
acquiesced in it, and has faithfully followed it until this day.

  Self-sufficiency!
Self-importance! What hateful things to behold in others, and how often
manifest unconsciously in oneself! What was it that led Cain to slay his
brother Abel? He was enraged when God gave Abel the place of favor. And why did
God favor Abel? Because he humbled himself before God, taking a position before
Him of one who was unworthy, and seeking His face through the merits of a
Substitute. Cain, on the other hand, expected God to recognize him and his
gifts by virtue of merits in himself, and when God refused to allow Cain
thus to glory in His presence, he wreaked his vengeance on his meek and lowly
brother.

  Thus early in man’s history
did God permit the fruit of this principle to manifest itself. And yet men
applaud each other when they outdo their fellows in reaching up to
positions of prominence and superiority. But, thanks be to God, there will be
nothing of this kind of “greatness” in that kingdom over which the Son
of Man shall sway the scepter. There, all the subjects will be in character
like Him who will rule over them. All in that kingdom will be found conformed
to the image of the Son, “that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren”
(Rom. 8:29). There all will be as “little children,” “for of such is the
kingdom of heaven.” This divine saying is not to be stripped of its spiritual
meaning, however true it may be literally. “Whosoever therefore shall
humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven” (Matt. 18:4). The very form of this expression shows that there will
be nothing like competition found in Christ’s kingdom. All who thus
humble themselves are equally great. There is no rivalry there.

  We do not find in God’s
history of His people any who were “giants.” There were some of these abnormal
persons both before and after the flood; but they were always found to be
enemies of God and of His people, and their destruction under God’s hand is a
rebuke to man’s greatness and pride. Neither were the children of Israel renowned for their physical, intellectual, commercial, or military greatness. Indeed
they were in many respects the weakest nation on the earth; but this very fact
made their dependence upon God the more evident, and He delighted to be known
as the “God of Israel,” yes, even as the “God of Jacob.”

  The very “Lord of Glory”
has linked Himself with those who have abased themselves in His presence.
“Whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receives Me”
(Matt. 18:5). The Lord is evidently referring in this saying to those who go
forth with His testimony, having no human credentials, nothing but His name to
show to men as their authority for going forth. To go forth in one’s own name,
one must be somewhat “great” in men’s eyes, but this greatness is not of Him
who says, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29)and “I am among you as He
that serves” (Luke 22:27). It savors rather of him who will “come in his own
name,” claiming the honors that belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

  What an honor to be sent
forth by the Lord Himself, the Sovereign of the universe! See to it, beloved
servants of the Lord Jesus, that His own lowly character be found in you in all
your ways with men, in all your appeals to the world for His sake, in all your
ministry of love among His sheep. Oh to faithfully represent Him who humbled
Himself even to the death of the cross, that He might exalt those who, counting
themselves nothing, put all their trust in Him!

  Beware lest you cause one
of the least of His own to stumble. Oh how watchful we need to be, lest in any
way we exalt self and set a false standard for Christ’s “little ones.” A child
readily imitates a parent or an older brother or sister, and the people of God
are unconsciously molded, to a large extent, by those who are their spiritual
guides. What a responsibility therefore rests upon those who are the pastors
and teachers of Christ’s flock, and what care is needed lest they should cause
“one of these little ones to stumble.”

  On the other hand, what a
blessed place to be in as one of the Lord’s “little ones!” To have the
assurance of His care, His protection, His grace and His love. The Lord here
warns any against despising those who thus look up to Him in true dependence.
He says, “Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones” (a thing we
are apt to do if puffed up with a feeling of our own importance), “for I say
unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father who
is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10).

  A comparison of this
Scripture with Numbers 12 will probably make clear what is in the Lord’s mind.
Aaron and Miriam had despised and spoken against Moses on account of his
marrying an Ethiopian. Moses meekly bears their cruel words in the true spirit
of one of the Lord’s “little ones”; but the Lord answers for him, and shows
them that Moses has an intimacy with Himself to which they were
strangers. Why then did they not fear to speak against one whom the Lord so
honored? It seems to be a parallel here. Those whom men despise for their
lowliness and self-abasement have an intimacy with the Father to which the
world’s “great” ones are utter strangers.

  The Lord now speaks of
these “little ones” as those who have acknowledged themselves to have “gone
astray” like lost sheep. It has given Him more joy to recover one of
them than for ninety-nine who, in their own estimation, went not astray (Matt.
18:12,13). If God could rejoice in Adam unfallen, how much more over those whom
He has redeemed to Himself from the distance and condition they were in by the
fall. Has He not as the Good Shepherd come to seek and save the lost? Those who
have owned themselves lost, and trusted as their Saviour Him who went to the
cross for them, are the “little ones” over whom He rejoices. They have given
Him more joy than all the so-called righteous who went not astray, and it is
not the Father’s will that any one of these “little ones” should perish (Matt.
18:14). The self-righteous will perish, for they have no Saviour. They are
sufficient to themselves.

  In closing, what we have
said here in no sense denies that the Lord included the little children in the
literal sense of the word. But He so speaks as to take in all who humble
themselves in His sight and put their trust in Him.

  (From Help and Food,
Vol. 31.)

 

  Have you ever played King
of the Hill—especially you who once were boys? Those who live in northern
climates play it on snowbanks, while others may play on mounds of dirt at
excavation sites. The object of the game is to be first to get to the top of
the hill, and then to keep from being dragged down by others who want to be
“King of the Hill.”

  Doesn’t that sound like
fun—being at the top? But wait a minute. Is being at the top a safe place to
be? Do the other players respect the one who is at the top? “Wherefore let him
who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

  When we play a game, which
do we prefer—to win, to lose, or does it not make any difference whether we win
or lose? Why is it that most of us prefer to win? be “King of the Hill? be #1
in our class or department or on our team? Is it not the pride of our heart? “I
say … to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think” (Rom. 12:3).

  Do people like you better,
do you get more respect, if you win the tennis match or the Scrabble game?
Sometimes the losers say you cheated, or were just lucky and got all the good
breaks. They let you know that it certainly was not your superior skill or
intelligence that beat them. Or, turning it around, do you always have high
respect for those who just defeated you or your team? Do you “rejoice with
those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15)?

  The King of the Hill game
has been around for a long time. It is described a couple of times in the
Bible:“How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!… For
you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God…. I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:12-14). “God
knows that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you
shall be as God, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree
was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be
desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave
also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:5,6).

  God is the highest of all,
#1, the Creator, all-powerful, all-knowing. Is God respected and liked by all
His created beings because He is #1? No! Both Satan and Eve wanted the place
that God Himself occupied.

  Have you ever played
King of the Hill with God, like Satan and Eve? The following verses may help
you to answer this question:“Every man did that which was right in his own
eyes” (Judg. 21:25). “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every
one to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). “But his citizens hated Him, and sent a
message after Him, saying, We will not have this Man to reign over us” (Luke
19:14,27). “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
In a sense, we throw God off His throne whenever we sin and do our will
in opposition or without regard to His perfect will. We were all at one
time the enemies of God (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21).

  People say, “I have never
hurt anyone.” But you hurt God every time you challenge His authority. Have you
sought to do all things to glorify God throughout your lifetime? Or have you
ever turned to your own way? done your own thing? said “No!” to your parents
when you were a child? whined “Why can’t I?” or just did what you wanted to do
anyway when you were a teenager? Sadly, if we are truly honest with ourselves,
we all will have to confess that we have pushed God off His throne and sat on
it ourselves—many times!

  Now here is the situation:
God, the true King of the Hill, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Gen.
1; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3), the Creator of mankind (Gen. 1:26,27), found Himself
disrespected, despised (Mal. 1:2,6), and reproached (Psa. 69:9) by man whom He
created. What should He do? God decided to do something so awesome, so
stupendous, so amazing, so wonderful, that people would want to respect
Him, obey Him, serve Him, worship Him. What did He do? Did He send a ball of
fire to kill a third of people of the world? No. In fact, the Bible says that
God will do just that during the Great Tribulation, and even then, “the
rest of the [people] who were not killed by these plagues yet repented not”
(Rev. 9:18-20).

  What did God do? He sent
His Son. And His Son humbled Himself, allowed wicked men to take Him, mock
taunt, beat, strip, falsely accuse Him, and nail Him to the cross. Notice that
not once did He say to His enemies, “You can’t get away with this! I’m King of
the Hill!” (see 1 Pet. 2:23). Rather he prayed for them, “Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

  Yes, Christ was—and is—the
King of the Hill. But He willingly, voluntarily, came down from His throne in
heaven—for your sake and mine! “I am counted with those who go down into the
pit; I am as a man who has no strength…. Thou hast laid Me in the lowest pit,
in darkness, in the deeps” (Psa. 88:4,6). “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you
through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). “Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus:Who, being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God:but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a Servant, and was made in the likeness of men … and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). “We see Jesus
who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (Heb.
2:9).

  What is so special about
God’s Son going to the cross?

  1. He was the co-eternal,
co-equal Son of God (John 1:1; 10:30).

  2. He had the power to
escape—but didn’t (Matt. 26:53).

  3. His sufferings were so
great and terrible (Psa. 22; 40; 69; 88; Isa. 52:13-53:12; Matt. 26:57-27:50).

  4. His sufferings and death
were for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; Eph. 5:2; 1 Pet. 2:24).

  How does this affect you?
Does it make you weep “with joy and sorrow mingling”? Or do you shrug your
shoulders and say, “Duh, whatever.”

  When we realize that we are
sinners, rebels, enemies of God, deserving eternal separation from Him in the
lake of fire—and when we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ bore God’s holy anger
and punishment for our sins—doesn’t this give us a great deal of respect for
Him? Don’t we want to honor Him, please, obey, serve, and worship Him? We
surely do! Every morning when we awaken, and every night before going to bed,
and in between as well, we should remember that all our blessings and hopes and
assurance of eternal life are a result of the sufferings, death, and
resurrection of Christ.

  Whom do you want to be
like? Do you want to be like Satan who wanted to be King of the Hill, to exalt
his “throne above the stars of God” and “be like the Most High”? Or do you want
to be like Christ who “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the
form of a servant … in the likeness of men … obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross”?

  What happened to Satan when
he wanted to be King of the Hill? God said, “You shall be brought down to hell,
to the sides of the pit” (Isa. 14:15; Rev. 20:10). What were the consequences
of Eve wanting to be King of the Hill? “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and
your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children…. Cursed is the
ground for your sake…. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to
you…. In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread” (Gen. 3:16-18).

  On the other hand, what
happened to Christ when He humbled Himself? “God also has highly exalted Him,
and given Him a name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). “Exalt” means to
lift up very high. “Highly” is added to that.

  What will happen to those
who follow Satan? “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). What will happen to those who follow
Christ? They “shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “The
Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout … and the dead in Christ
shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be
with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17).

  Finally, for those who
desire to be the King of the Hill:“The day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon
every one who is proud and lofty, and upon every one who is lifted up; and he
shall be brought low…. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the
haughtiness of men shall be made low:and the LORD alone shall be exalted in
that day” (Isa. 2:12,17; also 40:4; Ezek. 17:24).

  For those who humble
themselves and allow God to remain on His throne—to be King of the Hill:
“Though the LORD be high, yet has He respect unto the lowly” (Psa. 138:6).
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6).

 

There was a night, in ages
past,

  When angels swept through
Eastern skies:

Their presence thrilled the
shepherds’ hearts

  And filled their souls with
glad surprise;

     For angel tongues made
known to them

     That Christ was born in Bethlehem.

 

The magi saw His glorious
star

  Above the lowly manger-bed,

And by its silvery beams of
light

  Were to that ancient stable
led.

     There they beheld that
peerless One—

     The Son of Man, and God
the Son!

 

They bowed their knees before
His shrine,

  And worshiped in that
humble spot;

They lavished on Him costly
gifts

  Which they in love from far
had brought.

     Thus they adored the One
from heaven—

     They honored Him whom
God had given.

 

But men despised His righteous
claims—

  Despised His holy person
too;

They hailed Him not as Lord
and King,

  But on dark Calvary pierced Him through!

     “Away with Him” in rage
they cried—

     Earth’s Sovereign thus
was crucified.

 

No room for Him in inn was
found,

  And human breasts were
locked and barred;

But when He comes to earth
again

  No power His kingdom can
retard.

     No foe shall then
dispute His throne,

     All must His claims with
honor own-

 

His day of glory hastens on—

  That day when all mankind
shall bow,

He’ll be enthroned as King of
kings,

  Then many crowns shall deck
His brow.

     The entire world shall
own His sway

     Throughout that bright
millennial day.

 

O Lord, the whole creation
groans

  For that bright
sin-dispelling day,

When Thou shalt reign on Zion’s hill,

  And purge the ills of earth
away.

     Faith longs to see Thee
on Thy throne

     To reign supreme o’er
every zone.

     (From Help and Food,
Vol. 39.)

  A correspondent, calling
attention to recent statements to the effect that the kingdom of God is wholly
future, and that there is no such thing as a kingdom of God on earth today,
that in fact it does not exist, asks how we are to understand the following
texts:

  “Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12).

  “Paul … preaching the
kingdom of God, and teaching,” etc. (Acts 28:30,31).

  “Delivered us from the
power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son”
(Col. 1:13).

  “I, John … in the kingdom
and patience of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9).

  “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”
(Rom. 14:17).

  In the view of the kingdom
above mentioned this last verse is considered to have a future, not present,
application, and so indeed with all references to the kingdom. That also would
mean, I suppose, that even John 3 in which seeing and entering the kingdom are
spoken of must be of future application if there is no kingdom of God on earth today.

  This view evidently swings
to the opposite extreme from that which denies dispensational distinctions and
refuses to admit Israel’s future place and glory as God’s nation on earth in
the coming time of the kingdom during the Millennial age. This latter teaching
cannot be too firmly resisted, but we must guard against the other extreme
also, for this too will involve us in confusion and contradiction.

  If we think of the kingdom
of God in the future, as far as this world is concerned we think of the
manifestation of the power and glory of Christ as King, reigning over the
earth, Israel being restored, saved, and made first of the nations, as prophecy
abundantly declares. Then, too, there will be no other kingdom as there is now,
for Satan will be imprisoned, he and his hosts being cast out of the
heavenlies, so that there is an end to the rule and influence of those
“principalities,” “rulers of the darkness of this world,” and “spiritual
wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Against these we now struggle. Only at
the end of the Millennium Satan will be loosed for a brief final act of
rebellion.

  It is certain that the kingdom of God does not now exist on earth after this manner. Scripture leads us to
believe that two kingdoms exist today. The one that will not exist in that
future age is present in power today, and so also is the kingdom of God in a present form suited to the time. Both are of moral and spiritual character—that of
Satan is darkness, that of God, now and ever, light, for God is
light. Now men are passing from the former into the latter by the work of the
Holy Spirit through the Word. Thus are blind eyes opened to “see,” and those
who see “enter” the kingdom of God. They are turned “from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in Me”
(Acts 26:18). Thus delivered from “the power [or authority] of darkness,” they
are “translated into the kingdom of His dear Son in whom we have redemption
through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” for in this way the Father
makes “us meet [or fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light” (Col. 1:12-14). Such were once darkness, but thus they become light in
the Lord (Eph. 5:8). Those made fit by the Father to be partakers of the
inheritance of saints in light are already saints as sanctified in Christ
Jesus, and begin now to participate in their inheritance as a result of present
divine operation. They thus have a present as well as future “inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph. 5:5).

  Peter assures a richly
furnished entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, if there is diligence in doing the things spoken of (2 Pet. 1:4-11).
This has its bearing for the present and the future. For all such there is that
in the future as to the kingdom which they do not now possess except in hope,
but there is that which they have of that kingdom in the present which proves
its present existence. This is found in the things, in the first fruits, of the
Spirit, and it is summarized for us in Rom. 14:17.

  Paul’s words to the elders
of Ephesus are significant. He testified of repentance toward God and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and speaks of the ministry received of the Lord
Jesus to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God. He could affirm that he
had not failed to announce all the counsel of God. But in all this he had gone
about preaching the kingdom of God (Acts 20:21-27). These things then pertained
to it, and gave to those accepting such a ministry of grace present participation
in what that kingdom really meant, while as to outward conditions on the earth
they might be accounted sheep for the slaughter and endure present suffering
for the sake of the kingdom, since in the present we are found brethren and
fellow-partakers in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Jesus (Rev. 1:9
JND).

  When Paul disputed and
persuaded as to the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8), it could
hardly be exclusively what was future, and then as now non-existent, for it is
immediately mentioned that some did not believe and spoke evil of “that
way”—surely that way of present faith in Christ and the attendant blessings.

  In another place the
apostle speaks of those who were his fellow-workers for the kingdom of God (Col. 4:11).

  Again, Paul enumerates the
works of those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). They
have no fitness to be partakers of the inheritance of saints in light. And then
he immediately says:“But the fruit of the Spirit,” etc. There are those in
whom that fruit is now produced. Thus they in the present inherit that kingdom,
for such live by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. This cannot be apart from
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit—the kingdom of God. This will still be true when the kingdom is manifested in glory on the earth; but
believers who have not the glory as yet produce the Spirit’s fruit, enjoy His
first fruits, and are partakers in those moral and spiritual features which
belong to God’s kingdom both now and forever, in present tribulation as in
future glory. Both aspects of truth have their place, neither can be set aside
without spiritual loss.