Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
May 9, 2021

The Meek
adapted from an article by L. A. Mott
“Blessed are the MEEK, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Does the adage about “birds of a feather” apply to traits of character? Indeed it does, and meekness is no exception. Meekness keeps close company with gentleness (2 Corinthians 10:1) and with lowliness (Ephesians 4:2); it is found between lowliness and longsuffering in Colossians 3:12. Such traits are compatible companions and may be seen together in the same person.
Meekness is the teachable spirit that we need in receiving the word of God, the quality in a person “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19-21). Read Psalm 25. It is the meek whom God guides and teaches (v. 9)—perhaps because only they can be guided and taught. It is only the meek man who would come to God saying, “Show me thy ways, O Jehovah; teach me thy paths. Guide me in thy truth, and teach me…” (vv. 4-5). The meek bow to the will of God, whether expressed in His word or in His providential dealings. “Thy will be done,” is constantly on their lips. “Meekness is that temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting” (Trench). The Greek “praus is the regular word for an animal which has been domesticated, which has been trained to obey the word of command, which has learned to answer to the reins. It is the word for an animal which has learned to accept control” (Barclay). The meek spirit is the submissive spirit; one that is under control, one that bows to the will of God.
Meekness also has an application toward men. See Matthew 5:38-42. But the meek man is not a timid man. The meek man is not spineless, which is how some modern dictionaries define the word. Moses “was very meek” (Numbers 12:3), but he could blaze with anger when God’s law was dishonored (Exodus 32:19). So could Jesus (Matthew 21:12-13), even though he was “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). When the meek man yields and refuses to avenge himself, it is not due to weakness—he may be fully capable of taking his enemy’s head off; it is because he is under divine control and is willing to commit his cause to the righteous judge (see 1 Peter 2:23; 4:19). Jesus was not meek because He was powerless. He was meek because He had His immense power under the control of two great principles—His love for His Father (John 14:31) and His love for lost men (Ephesians 5:2). It would have been far easier for Him to have simply annihilated His foes than to patiently endure their abuse. He took the hard road.
Jesus’ word about the meek is found first in Psalm 37:11, where the context describes “the meek”—they do not fret themselves over or envy the prosperity of evil-doers (v. 1); they trust in God (v. 3), committing their way to him (v. 5); they trust in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him” (v. 7); they “cease from anger, and forsake wrath” (v. 8); they “wait for Jehovah” (v. 9). But read the whole Psalm. The meek bow to God’s will, even when everything seems upside down, confident that sometime—not now, perhaps, but sometime—their patience will be rewarded. And it will.
“I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD” (Zeph. 3:12).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship……………...5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.