"Still waters run deep". It's something my dad would say sometimes. When I was a kid, I used to wonder what that meant. After researching this Beatitude, I think I understand it a lot better.
Webster defines the word Meek as: "enduring injury with patience and without resentment 2 : deficient in spirit and courage : submissive". That second part of the definition - deficient in spirit and courage : submissive - I have trouble with. For the simple reason that Jesus described Himself as Meek: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). "Enduring injury with patience and not resentment" that fits fine, but...Deficient in Spirit and Courage? Nope! Jesus was the personification of courage and His life was Spirit filled if anybody's ever was. It's not that Webster's is wrong, it is just that the word has come to have a different meaning through the years. Our take on Meek is more negative these days. Today the strong rule the world, we are encouraged to get out there and get what we want. People who assert themselves are admired. So we have to look at the word Meek from a different perspective.
Who are the meek to Jesus? Are they spineless drifters who could care less what is happening around them? No, Jesus meant something different when He used the word to describe Himself and when He said we were Blessed if we were Meek. One of the commentaries I read this morning said this: "Persons of a mild, gentle, long-suffering, and forgiving disposition, who are slow to anger, and averse from wrath; not easily provoked, and if at any time at all provoked, soon pacified; who never resent an injury, nor return evil for evil; " (Benson Commentary). This sounds more like how Jesus is shown to us in the Bible and more something I would strive to be like in my own life.
When I thought of this definition in Benson, I thought about what my dad said about still waters. On the surface all is calm and peaceful. The meek of this earth show a tranquil face to the world. Their strength lies beneath the surface. They can endure, as a mountain endures, the trials and tribulations in their lives. They can remain peaceful and unruffled during a crisis, not because they are uncaring or unseeing, but because in their hearts it is all handed over to their Father. Just as Jesus prayed "Not my will but thine be done", the meek understand that God's will is best at all times. Deeper things are going on beneath the calm exterior of the meek person, a boundless strength is being called upon. This is something I want to find more and more in my own life.
So, what is promised to those who can so emulate Christ as to be considered Meek?
Jesus said: "they shall inherit the earth". Inherit means to be given, not taken, not owed as a debt to be paid, and not won by sheer brute strength. They are given the earth from the Creator who made it. The world is their inheritance as Children of God. When you can be meek as Jesus was meek, when you can conquer the battles in yourself through God's strength, then you can go through your life here on earth as Jesus did. With a peaceful courage and loving heart towards others, you can meet your trials and find a Happiness in your life that will never be found here otherwise. The meek do not need to wait for the "Kingdom of God" to come before they find their Happiness. They have a head start here by finding a bit of "heaven on earth". What a blessing to strive for!