Things are not as they seem. It appears that everywhere we turn the wicked to appear to have the upper hand. Evil is continually finding new ways to shock and discourage. But the word of God assures us that things are not as they seem. King David wrote a song that was used to remind God’s people that the wicked have limits.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace. (Psalm 37:10-11)
David states that the meek shall inherit the land. Some 1,000 years later Jesus quotes these very words as he begins the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was letting his followers know that even though they would face persecution God would not abandon them or his covenant commitment to do what is right. The victory belongs to the meek! Not exactly the way we are used to thinking. Christians are to use the weapons of the Spirit and not of the flesh.
In this case, the weapon of the Spirit was meekness. The quality of being meek is not something usually associated with warfare. But God’s ways are different than ours. The word meek that Jesus used in Matthew referred to a powerful warhorse. This horse had been trained to use his great strength to serve the commands of his rider. A war horse had no usefulness if he was not powerful. So meekness is not a sign of weakness but of power, power that is used for the single purpose of serving the Lord. The ways of the wicked are limited by God. Evil will not win the day. Rather the meek will inherit the land. Meekness is being willing to give up my rights in order to put others first. Meekness waits for God to bring about justice.
Listen carefully to David and Jesus. When it appears that wickedness has the upper hand, don’t be fooled. This lesson is an important one for your children to learn as they will often face situations where it looks like evil has the upper hand. And it is an important lesson for you because no matter how strong the wicked may appear, the truth is that the meek will inherit the earth.
As Jesus says, blessed are the meek! In these dark days be encouraged with the faithfulness of your God. Abundant peace awaits. Serve your King well.