When I’m Meek, I’m Strong

TODAY WE’RE LEARNING about getting real quiet, y’all. And no, I’m not talking about hiding in the closet while we eat our kids’ Halloween candy (although I wouldn’t judge you for it!). Nope, today we’re learning what it means to become meek and quiet—and about the unexpected energy that comes from that mind-set.

To the world, meek means weak, and quiet means lacking confidence. But to the Lord, these are traits of someone who finds their strength in him.

By this point, my Bible crush may be obvious: that dreamy Moses. I’ve already talked about his special connection with the Lord, but I haven’t mentioned one important quality of his. Numbers 12:3 says, “Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (ESV). This verse caught my attention, because I came across it in the context of reading about the depth of Moses’ faith. It didn’t seem to fit what else we know about him as a person of strength.

I tend to downplay the importance of meekness, because the world’s view—that meekness is synonymous with weakness—has seeped in and convinced me that meekness can’t possibly be a source of strength. But as I’ve studied Moses more, I’ve started to see a man who walked with the Lord in a way most have never experienced. And I can’t help but correlate his meekness with his deeper relationship with the Lord.

An attitude of meekness actually takes incredible strength. To willingly submit ourselves to the Lord’s sovereignty and allow him to defend us and fight our battles takes more strength than it does to fight. The best part is that at the same time, meekness brings more rest.

As I started to piece together the correlation between meekness and rest, I stumbled on the perfect quote from A. W. Tozer in a chapter entitled “Meekness and Rest”: “[The meek man] knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. He rests perfectly content to allow God to set His own values. . . . In the meantime, he will have attained a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness, he will be happy to let God defend him.”^a Oh y’all! Does it sound glorious not to fight for things that ultimately don’t matter? That means we no longer have to prove our value and make sure everyone knows how worthy we are. It means we can let the opinions of the world go in one ear and out the other without feeling like we have to continually do more to measure up. As we embrace this truth, we can let God’s acceptance of us take up permanent residence in our minds.

I want to live in that perfect rest—the kind that isn’t waiting for the world to validate what I’m doing. I think we all know that if we hold ourselves to the world’s standards or do things for the praise of others, we will be worn out. But what hits me in a fresh way as I read Tozer’s words is the starting point of that thought transformation. It all starts with meekness.

There are some things we can’t change about the load we bear—the number of kids we have, the unique challenges they face, the financial strains we may be under. But there is something under our control: we can release all those unnecessary things we are piling in our arms that are adding to the weight—the things the world insists we should carry but that actually hold no value in God’s eyes.

If we are unable to experience true rest, it’s not because God is putting too much on us. It’s because we think we are responsible for more than we truly are.

As we learn an attitude of meekness, we will free ourselves from feeling that the world needs us—and beyond that, we will stop caring about what the world thinks of us at all. Then we will find rest. Psalm 37:11 says, “The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (ESV). How powerful the meek are, resting in the hands of the Lord.

ACTION STEP

Think of someone you know who displays true meekness. Make a list of qualities and actions they display that show their meekness, and strive to live out those characteristics this week.

PRAYER

Father, I want the kind of rest that comes from being meek. Change my heart, and help me to find rest in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MORNING QUESTIONS

TAKEAWAY TODAY | Does meekness come naturally for you? Why or why not?

Why do you think meekness and rest are so closely connected?

DREADING TODAY | Is there anything you’re dreading today?

REDEFINING TODAY | If so, what is another way you can view that thing you’re dreading?

ASKING GOD TODAY | What request are you bringing before the Lord today?

EVENING QUESTIONS

REFLECTION | Were there any moments today when you chose the path of meekness? What was the result?

LITTLE VICTORIES | Where did you see God show up even in small ways, reminding you that you aren’t alone?

WHITE FLAG MOMENTS | When did you want to hide or escape today?

MEMORY OF THE DAY | What do you want to relish and thank God for?