10/15/2022
Are we heartbroken today, or do we see ourselves as content, and satisfied with our lives, and who we are? Has our rebellious spirit been broken, or is it strong and self-determined? Do we approach God overcome by our contrition, and desiring His forgiveness, or are we convinced that we are worthy in ourselves, and without sin? Before we can be of use to God our old self must be broken and bridled, and our will made subservient to His. How do we stand before the Lord? Are we humble and obedient, or self-assured, unteachable, and defiant? Are we meek, or are we arrogant and proud in our demeanor?
“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:16-17 ESV
The world loves a person who is self-determined and strong willed. It likes those who live by the mantra “I did it my way!”, and exhibit no humility in their determined manner, and approach to God or anything they perceive to be standing in their way. Is this e we ho we are, or the kind of person we look up to? Yet from the Psalms of David, to the beatitudes of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, we are taught differently…
“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”
Psalm 37:11 ESV
““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 ESV
The world would have us believe that meek is synonymous to weak, and that humble is powerless, but neither of these perceptions are true. The strength of a worldly man must be proven every day, and his power must be exerted continuously or he will be overthrown, but the strength we find in meekness is without challenge, and our humility defies the efforts of all enemies. Jesus was not weak as He stood silent before Pilate, and He was not overthrown as they nailed Him to the cross, and placed a sign on it that read “king of the Jews”. No, His strength allowed Him to do the will of God, and His humility empowered Him as He defeated sin and death.
“For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
Romans 6:7-8 ESV
So meekly we walk the world, and love our neighbors, and our enemies alike. Likewise we humbly stand before all worldly authority, and yet do not bend, or break. Does a man consider the ant as he walks through the desert, or concern himself with the rules of children as they play their games in the street? No, both are beneath him, and can be treated without concern, or anger. In our lives there is no strength greater than our God’s, and no authority above His.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Romans 13:1 ESV
So before God we are meant to present our hearts, which have been broken by the condition of the world, and our broken and contrite spirits made to suffer through remorse for our own sins. Thus, do we ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the strength, and obedience, that our broken hearts and spirits allow us to approach you with. Hear our prayers Lord as we pray in the name of Jesus for the righteous transformation of the sinful world we find ourselves in, and for the forgiveness of our own sins therein. Give us strength to be meek, and a circumcised heart for others that we might be humble in our treatment of them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose Son Jesus shows us what it means to humble one’s self before you, and to approach you meek in our demeanor. Praised be your name for your grace that flows over us, and for your forgiveness that lifts us above the world. Find us worthy as we stand in judgement, and seat us at your table forevermore… your children, and pleasing in your sight.
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Rich Forbes