Verse of the Day 2/2
Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. New King James Version (NKJV)
As I mentioned yesterday, our men's bible study group is currently going through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. In chapter 5 we find the Beatitudes where Jesus outlines the character traits of those who "are" in the kingdom. In Matthew 5:5 Jesus states "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth". This was not something new or earth shattering, David expressed the same sentiment in our verse from Psalm 37 today. David was known as "a man after God's own heart" and this "meekness" goes to the core of that. The only way that we can have those other attributes outlined in the Beatitudes is if we embody, embrace this.
Meekness is something that was looked down upon by many in the first century culture and it is still the same today. It is looked upon as weakness. But for Jesus and for Christians is shows power under control. Sinclair Ferguson writes, "It is certainly not a lack of backbone. Rather, it is the humble strength that belongs to the man who has learned to submit to difficulties (difficult experiences and difficult people), knowing that in everything God is working for His good." It is the person who has this meekness that can have an "abundance of peace" in difficult circumstances, when going through"various trials" (James 1:2).
It is also this person that doesn't fret. If you read the passage from Psalm 37 below, you will notice that 3 times in the span of these verses that David tells us "do not fret", but rather "trust in the Lord and do good". It is the meek person that has the inner strength (from God) that can join with others in trying times and not shake their fists at God but say instead "we trust", "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Psalm 37:1-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked
A Psalm of David.
37 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be [b]cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
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