How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Meek

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/03/21

In our society, it’s the wealthy and assertive people who get their way—the CEO who doesn’t take no for an answer, the social media influencer who has all the right connections. Their me-centric attitude is lauded, valued, and even expected in our culture. “That’s how to get ahead—how to be happy,” says society, “Use power to take what you want in life.” But Jesus says this earth belongs to the meek.

When you think of a meek person, you might think of someone who’s quiet and reserved, a pushover even. But Biblically speaking, meekness is not weakness—and it’s not limited to people with a certain kind of personality. Rather, a meek person is one who has his power under control. The meek are so submitted to the Spirit of God that even when they are maligned, they choose to die to self. When reviled, they revile not in return. There is no greater example of meekness than Jesus Christ. It took more power for Jesus to surrender to the soldiers who came to arrest Him in Gethsemane than it did for Peter to pull out his sword and chop the ear off the high priest’s servant (see John 18:1-14).

The meek are happy because they trust in the Lord’s deliverance and justice. They wait patiently for the Lord, who says, “Vengeance is mine.” The meek know there is no need to struggle and fight their way to the so-called “good life”; they already have it because they have Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I long to be meek, following the way of my Savior. Help me to be humble in heart so that when I have power, I wield it for the good of others above myself. I will trust You for justice; I know my reward is coming. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).