The Inheritance of the Meek

"But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." - Psalm 37:11 (NKJV)

What does it mean to inherit the earth? When Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5), He wasn’t just pointing to the future. He was describing a blessing that we can experience now and fully in eternity.

Let’s start with the future. Jesus is pointing us to the coming Kingdom, where He will reign on the earth during the Millennium (the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth after the 7-year Tribulation described in the Book of Revelation). The meek will reign with Christ. What an incredible inheritance! Everything He has will belong to us, not because we earned it, but because we are His children.

But there’s more to this inheritance than the future. The meek inherit the earth today, too. How? By living in the peace and freedom that comes from trusting God. When we stop striving, when we’re not consumed by trying to manipulate situations or control people, we can finally enjoy what God has given us.

Think about it: the person who always has to have their way can never truly be at peace. The one who clings to power or possessions will always feel like they don’t have enough. But the meek—the ones who rest in God's provision—see the world differently. They aren’t grasping for what they don’t have; instead, they’re grateful for all they’ve been given.

Psalm 37 describes this beautifully. It says:

• “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (v. 3).
• “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (v. 4).
• “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (v. 7).

The meek person knows that God is in control. When bad things happen, they don’t panic, because their hope isn’t in circumstances but in the Lord. When others succeed, they don’t grow bitter, because they trust God’s timing for their own life. When they face injustice, they don’t take matters into their own hands, because they know God will make things right.

The inheritance of the meek is the gift of contentment, peace, and joy in the here and now—and the promise of reigning with Christ in the life to come. It’s the freedom to trust God with the big picture and the small details. It’s the ability to enjoy what He’s given us without constantly striving for more.

Reflection Question: Are you living in the freedom and peace that comes from trusting God with your circumstances?

Dear Lord, thank You for the inheritance You promise to the meek. Help me to trust You more, to stop striving for control, and to rest in Your faithfulness. Teach me to submit my desires and plans to You, knowing that everything You have belongs to Your children. May I learn to delight in what You’ve given me and live with the peace that only You can provide. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from "Meekness is Not Weakness" - https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/49hzcv8/3-meekness-is-not-weakness