Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  
Matthew 5:5

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Bible Reading Plan

This year, we’re encouraging our whole church to read God’s Word every day. For convenience, we’re including suggested passages at the top of each devotional Monday through Friday to prepare your heart and mind for each weekend’s teaching. This plan connects your daily Bible reading directly to what you’ll hear on Sunday, creating deeper understanding and life application. Enjoy!

Reading Plan: Psalm 37:1-11

Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
    and enjoy peace and prosperity.

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Daily Devotional: Disciplined Power

Years ago, I decided to follow Jesus and was born again by the Holy Spirit. I was all in, following Jesus with a lot of heart and desire to please him. Yet, I wasn’t sure how I should be or who I could be in the world as a young man seriously following Christ. The understanding of meek in society back then, and still today, is that meek means being timid, mousey, and so unassertive that people walk all over you. That has never appealed to me, nor to most other people. 

At the time, a friend who was attending seminary taught me that the original meaning of meek actually means disciplined power or strength under control. It requires strength. Originally, the word was used to describe chariot warhorses of the Roman Empire. Learning the original meaning changed everything for me, and I’m grateful that God had me realize that at the beginning of my born-again life with Him. The quality of being meek has guided my growth as a disciple of Jesus, shaping my character.

Pursuing meekness has enabled me to endure hardship and unfair treatment. Jesus has been teaching me that I can absolutely trust Him in every situation I find myself in. This encouraged me to cultivate trusting obedience, especially through various forms of suffering, as Jesus and others did (Hebrews 5:8). Suffering became transformative and redemptive for me. Additionally, practicing meekness has prevented me from injuring others in any of the ways that could arise when I am angry. 

Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, observed that mastering others requires force, while mastering the self needs strength. Following Jesus requires strength and perseverance, which His Holy Spirit provides. Like disciples of a rabbi or students training under a martial arts sensei, we become even more like our great teacher as we develop meekness. God is meek. To His glory and our advantage, cultivating true meekness is one of the most important qualities a Christian can possess. And as Jesus stated, it seems to be a key quality of citizenship in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Next Steps

Read and reflect on Galatians 5:19-26 in The Message version. That passage presents a good comparison of a non-meek life vs. true meekness.  

Also, consider checking out the book, Wild At Heart by John Eldredge. There are also several videos that speak to healing, recovering our true hearts, and living in fullness. Becoming meek helps a person develop a healthy, full life.