This beatitude is the first of the fruit of poverty of spirit and mourning for sin. It will be explained by a partial quote from an E-sword commentary, The Biblical Illustrator, with a few explanatory remarks.
“There is a twofold meekness-towards God and towards man. Towards God implies two things.
I. Submission to His will.
1. Carrying ourselves calmly, without murmuring, under the dispensations of Providence.
2. Let God do what He will with me, I will submit.
II. Flexibility to His Word.
1. He is spiritually meek who conforms himself to the mind of God, and doth not quarrel with the instructions of the Word, but [does argue with] the corruptions of his heart.
2. How happy it is when the Word which comes with majesty is received with meekness. Meekness towards man consists in three things.
I. Bearing of injuries.
II. Forgiving of injuries.
III. Recompensing good for evil. (Thomas Watson.)”
God conforms a born-again believer via providential experiences that He sends into their lives. Paul Washer is fond of saying that God gives us spouses that help Him develop us spiritually–in learning patience, self-control, mercy…. But all things that come into our lives are to be viewed as coming from God for His purposes in conforming us to the image of His Son: betrayals, hurts, illnesses, losses, diseases; all things.
The degree of meekness we possess is revealed by the way we receive these providential experiences from God. That is, one could calmly receive it or run from it in a variety of ways: seeking pleasure, retaliation, avoidance (alcohol, drugs, entertainment…), pretending to be good to exalt oneself over others and in one’s own mind, etc. The tendency to escape is great because these events or experiences always cause pain. Think about the last time someone rejected you; or the last time you lost a loved one; or the last time you were betrayed. To remain in the pain and deal with it headon is no little feat. It requires dependence upon God.
In reading the Bible, this sort of meekness can be seen in God’s servants. For example: Joseph is the foremost example of a man, in scripture, enduring suffering without complaint or avoidance; Paul is probably next; Job’s suffering was greatest, but he became quite argumentative…with God; however, it was very clear that Job’s experience of humility deepened during his suffering. Consider a verse about each of them that indicates their humility: Joseph: Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Paul: Php 4:12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Php 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Job: Job 42:6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
If you were to read all the scripture around the above verses, regarding each of those men, it would be clear to you that they had increased in humility and other beatitude attitudes by remaining under God’s providential guidance, discipline….
We are to take them as examples of how we deal with the providences that God sends us. It is essential to understand that meekness cannot be accomplished without an experience of poverty of spirit and mourning for sin. It is fruit of those.
Examining your own life to see if these three beatitude attitudes are apparent in your own interactions with God and other humans is an essential aspect of your walk with the Lord.
What should you do if you find no evidence of them?
Attend more diligently to God’s appointed means of grace. Note how the psalmist seeks from God what he has become aware of needing, the Bible is full of such pleading to God:
Psa 119:5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees! Psa 119:6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands. [To arrive at that conclusion, the psalmist had to be observing his own conduct and evaluating it based on the standard set forth in God’s word. Look for such things in the verses below. What need has he seen in his life and that he is asking God to provide?]
Psa 119:15 I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways. Psa 119:18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions. Psa 119:19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide Your commands from me! Psa 119:29 Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing Your instructions. Psa 119:30 I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by Your regulations. Psa 119:36 Give me an eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money! Psa 119:37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word. Psa 119:39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for Your regulations are good. Psa 119:67 I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your word. Psa 119:71 My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees. Psa 119:75 I know, O LORD, that Your regulations are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it. Psa 119:79 Let me be united with all who fear You, with those who know Your laws. Psa 119:92 If Your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. Psa 119:116 LORD, sustain me as You promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Psa 119:117 Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on Your decrees. Psa 119:125 Give discernment to me, Your servant; then I will understand Your laws. Psa 119:141 I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget Your commandments. Psa 119:149 In Your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following Your regulations. Psa 119:162 I rejoice in Your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
Psa 119:176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands.
Psa 130:3 LORD, if You kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?
Psa 130:4 But You offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear You.