Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” (Mt 5:5, NIV). If ever a statement defined success, this would be it. Some, unfortunately, settle for cash now instead of a promise of salvation later. The richest people on earth can afford to buy whole islands for themselves. I envy them. I mean, I really envy them. But Jesus said the meek will inherit the whole earth — an island in the cosmos. Now that’s a deal.
It will be a brand-new earth, in a brand-new cosmos; one He will create when He puts an end to sin and death for all eternity. We will be safe. We will know true peace under the faithful rule of a Righteous King. We will know and worship Him in all His glory! Life will be fun! We will be able to cultivate our talents and enjoy our work. Relationships will be true and right. Eternal life will be … magnificent!
The meek will inherit the earth.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3–7, HCSB
Our faith is more valuable than gold!
In the here-and-now, the proud and powerful are too often rewarded with material goods and upward mobility. Typically, it’s not the meek who “succeed” but the crafty and political. The meek are too frequently passed over because they, from the world’s perspective, don’t show initiative. They don’t change jobs every few years to inch up the ladder of “success.” They don’t steal projects from others and take credit for themselves. They don’t push others down to propel themselves up. In the world, the meek don’t get very far, but do we really want to go there?
The proud don’t inherit the earth.
The proud will never see life. It’s a sad consequence: The new earth will be proud-free. If only all would humble themselves before the cross of Christ and seek His Kingdom and His righteousness.
Nevertheless, whatever our circumstances are now, we can be encouraged that the real race, the one that counts, does not go to the swift. It goes to the wise, to those who see beyond the physical, to those who embrace God’s truth and God’s ways. In Him is life!
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Lk 12:31–34, NAS
We don’t store the valuables of our faith, charity and salvation on earth, God keeps them safe in heaven.
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Dr. Rob Oberto is the award-winning author of “Intimacy With God: Extraordinary miracles that opened a skeptic’s heart to God” available from Amazon.
©2017 Rob Oberto, All Rights Reserved.