“The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11
What does meekness have to do with revival? The answer lies in Christ, who was “meek and lowly of heart.” Why is this issue so very important? The word revival for the believer in Christ means to live again, or to return from the descent concerning that which is not of Christ, to again know the reality of His life, “Christ dwelling in the heart by faith.” Several times in Scripture we see the importance of meekness, and its reward. In the book of Psalms, we read basically the same words which Christ used towards the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) Where there is meekness, there is the blessing of God. What then is meekness? Meekness is an attitude, followed by acts of humility. It is first that right knowledge of oneself as a sinner before God, whether one is saved or not. It is seeing God as He truly is in the measure of the knowledge that one has of the truth. It is that reaction to such a revelation to the holy God, as a needy sinner, seeking the intervention of God to come and cleanse from sin, strengthen by the Spirit, enabling one to return to faith in the faithfulness of God. The proof of humility, and of meekness, is submission to Christ’s authority. To that life of obedient faith is given the power of the Spirit to follow Christ, to know Him, and to be brought into conformity with His purpose and will. The restoration to meekness is at the same time deliverance from pride and self-sufficiency. It is a bringing of the individual believer back to whole-hearted faith in God, being in a position where he can receive daily the blessing of Christ’s saving life. What then is God’s protocol, the path by which he restores the soul, bringing it again to meekness and to life?
To the believer who knows he needs revival, there comes a moment, by the grace of God when he is willing to seek God, His way, for His intervention. He does this by prayer, and the confession of his sins, a turning from them and his selfish ways, to embrace again God’s way of faith. Where there is repentance, there is forgiveness and the cleansing from sin. To this one, as was the case of Israel, one’s “…warfare is accomplished,” one’s “iniquity is pardoned.” (Is. 40:1) There may be continuing repercussions from one’s disobedience, and unbelief, but there is cleansing, and there is the declaration by God that there is a point where sins are washed away, the soul being set free from their grip, and downward pull. Meekness believes God fully for this cleansing and deliverance.
Secondly, there is again the embracing of the word of God, the quiet, resolved and settled attitude towards Christ as the King and Lord of the life. It is by His word that revival comes to the heart, for He commands it, and enables the seeking soul to receive, and believe it. Embracing the commandments to “do” them, there is also the laying hold on God according to His promises. For example, in Isaiah we read God’s words to Israel, which are directly applicable to the believer today: “Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (41:10) The promise of the Father is one where He extends His authority and power to the believer by stretching forth His mighty hand, a hand that will never fail to save, strengthen, and sanctify.
Thirdly, there is the promise of a new beginning, for God has said, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it?” (43:19) And lastly, there is the certainty of Christ’s outpouring of the Spirit. (44:3)
Dear Father, Clothe us with meekness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.