Firm Footing

Matthew 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
 
     When Jesus taught us the third beatitude He was opening the truth of God’s word from Psalm 37.  The Psalmist was writing to the Israelites who were living in the Promised Land but did not truly possess it.  They had never fully obeyed God’s command and evil men plagued their existence.  Not just evil men in the heathen lands but evil men in their own ranks.  Reading the history of Israel one might wonder why God had ever chosen them as their priests, kings, prophets, and their children failed to live for God time and time again.  Imagine living in that day as a servant of God.  Knowing that God had promised you countless blessings and victories.  Obeying God’s word and living God’s way but never receiving the promise.  This was the world that the Psalmist was living in as he wrote, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.  For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea they will diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.  BUT THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH…”

    It is in the face of promises delayed that God’s people must stand.  When the enemy roars and it seems that evil abounds we must stand in the strength of God’s Word.  The battle belongs to the Lord, Creator of Heaven and Earth.  Knowing this allows us to plant our feet on the solid rock and stand.  Paul told the Ephesians, “Having done all to stand, stand!”  By faith holy men of old believed God and waited for the revelation of His word to come.  They wandered this earth holding fast to what they believed, trusting God, and patiently enduring the hardships of this life and the attacks of the enemy. 

    Life has not changed.  The enemy still fights against the people of God, sometimes from within our own ranks.  Giants possess what God has promised us defying the armies of the Lord to take it from them.  We seek after God and at times look up in the heavens and wonder when His Word will come to pass.  The temptation to take control and try and run the race our way is overwhelming.  We want to push God into action and perhaps force his hand.  Resist the Devil my friend.  Close your ears to his call to be god and turn your face toward the throne.  Waiting requires the strength of steel to accomplish.  We either want to run from the danger or make the danger go away but God wants us to stand!  Stand knowing that He is God.  Stand trusting that His Word is true.  Stand and possess that place where God has placed you in calm assurance that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day.