PROMISES TO THE MEEK by R. Baker

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1862

PROMISES TO THE MEEK.

By R. Baker

God has made many consoling promises in his word respecting those who are truly meek, among which are some of the following. "The Lord lifteth up the meek; he casteth the wicked to the ground." Ps. cxlvii, 6. "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people; he will beautify the meek with salvation." Ps. cxlix, 4. "The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek him. Your heart shall live for ever." Ps. xxii, 26. "The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord; the poor among men shall rejoice in the holy one of Israel." Isa. xxix, 19. In the prophecy respecting the ministry of Christ, it is said that he was anointed to preach glad tidings unto the meek. Isa. 61.

These promises, in connection with the fact that God will save all the meek of the earth, are sufficient to cause all to seek for this desirable quality. Moses, the man chosen of God to lead ancient Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians, was said to be very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. Num. xii, 3. Therefore he was a suitable man to be their leader. God could use him for a humble instrument to lead out his people without his being in danger of self-exaltation. A meek and quiet spirit is said to be of great price in the sight of God. 1 Pet. iii, 4. Likewise was Christ also said to be meek. Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, &c. Matt. xxi, 5. As he rode into Jerusalem in this meek and humble way, the multitude of disciples shouted, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! As these shouts of praise ascended from the gathered throng of the disciples, and the meek and lovely Saviour entered the city, there was a literal fulfillment of prophecy. But though the disciples were disappointed in his not reigning as an earthly prince, the time will come when he will be established upon the throne of his father David, and reign over his people forever.

This same Jesus who is meek and lowly in heart, Matt. xi, 29, in his remarkable sermon on the mount, has said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt. v, 5. This promise cannot refer to the present time, for it will be realized in consequence of being meek. Those only who comply with the condition can receive the promise; and as all inherit the present earth whether meek or not, we must look to the future for the fulfillment of this scripture. This must refer to the time when the curse of sin will be removed, and the earth resume its Eden beauty, as described in Isaiah, chap. xxxv, and the time comes for the people of the Most High to take the kingdom. Dan. vii, 18. This is doubtless identical with the promise which God made to our father Abraham, and will be realized in the same time God promised to Abraham and his seed, the land for an everlasting possession. Gen. xvii, 8. But as Abraham never received the promise, Acts vii, 5, nor his seed, Heb. xi, 13, it must be in the future, and correspond with the time spoken of by the psalmist David, where he says, The meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Ps. xxxvii, 11. Precious promises are these to the children of God as they realize that though they may have to pass through trials and afflictions in this present evil world, and suffer the ills and privations of life, to know when they get their reward they will have abundance of peace.

God has also promised to guide the meek in judgment, and to teach the meek his ways. Ps. xxv, 9. If there ever was a time when these promises should be claimed, it is now, from the fact that we are living amid the perils of the last days, and Satan is trying with all his power to bring distraction and confusion among all those who are trying to obey God and keep his commandments. We need a sanctified judgment to understand our duty, and also to detect the counterfeit working of Satan, which is so abundantly manifested in these last days. We also need to be taught in the ways of the Lord. This God has promised to do for all those who are truly meek. He has held out inducements in his word sufficient to cause his people to act. And as the time is so near at hand when these promises will be realized, let me urge the necessity of being faithful.

Study to know the will of the Lord. Keep humble at the feet of Jesus. And may God help all his remnant people to stand, and finally prepare them to share these glorious promises and live forever in the kingdom of God.

In conclusion let me say in the language of the prophet, "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you, seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgments, seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zeph. ii, 2, 3.

R. BAKER.

Mackford, Wis.