Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 20

(1) The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

The word “meek” describes “an attitude of quiet, reverent and humble submission to the will and purpose of God.” The quality of “meekness” is a gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion to God. It is an enduring and obedient spirit that is contented with one’s lot in life as God has given. Such a one, Christ pronounces blessed (Matt. 5:5). The opposite of meekness is self-will, a rebellious and complaining spirit.

 The “meek” is described as one who quietly waits upon the LORD in times of hardship and adversity (Ps 37:9), frets not and envies not the wicked in his prosperity. He seeks to live his life God’s way, not acting rashly but according to God’s Word. The psalmist declares, “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Ps 37:11). God’s peace abides and abounds in him. God promises to take care of his needs. He will have a place of refuge always on this earth. In the days of famine, he shall be satisfied. He will always have a place of service in the Lord’s vineyard while he lives and will reign physically on earth with Christ in the Millennium to come.

Christian meekness describes one who knows his own unworthiness before God and a lack of pride in dealings with fellow men (Moo). He does not have to contend for the recognition of his rights or acceptance of his personal views. Modesty and unobtrusiveness will characterize his life. “Meekness” is used of persons who put themselves after others in importance; individuals who are not proud, haughty, supercilious, self-assertive, low in rank or position. Moses in the Old Testament is the prototype of the humble man before God and other human beings (Num. 12:3). But he was not poor or low in rank. [Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament]

The Bible describes Moses as the meekest man on earth in Numbers 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” The word “man”, more specifically “ish” in Hebrew describes a spirit-filled man. This word “man” is first used to describe Adam in Gen. 2:23 before the fall. In psalm 1, this “man” separates from the ungodly and possesses an unquenchable thirst for God’s Word. God blesses him with spiritual fruitfulness and prosperity of the soul.

Moses was very meek above all the men on earth. This word “men” or “adam” in Hebrew describes the earthly man, the man made from the dust of the ground and cursed to die and return to the dust of the ground as a result of the fall, describing the carnal man, the fallen with the nature of sin.

Remember when Moses was 40 years old, he murdered an Egyptian and hid him in the sand. Moses acted according to what a carnal man will do, doubtless he was a child of God but he was working according to the flesh. Those who do the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God says the Apostle Paul, giving a grave warning (Gal. 5:19-21). Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness tending his father-in-law’s sheep to obtain PhD in humility before God called him to deliver Israel out of Egypt.

Moses had to bear with the carnality of the Israelites throughout the 40 years of the wilderness wandering, listening to their perpetual murmuring and complaining and discontentment as recorded in Exodus 17:3 “And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” Also, Numbers 14:29 “Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me.”

The meek man is a born again Christian, having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The character trait of meekness is one that is cultivated by the grace of God. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit as we put away sin in our lives. The challenge to His people to cultivate their souls that it may conform to Christ’s image for His glory! Amen.

(2) Webcast Ministry

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Thank God for the webcast ministry where our worship services and prayer meetings are broadcasted “live” through the internet to housebound worshippers due to sickness or old age since 20 March 2016.

It also reaches out to a wider audience outside Singapore.

There were 650 webcast listeners in March and April 2016 covering 22 countries and 32 states of the USA. Countries included UK, Canada, New Zealand, Philippines, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Netherlands, Brazil, Ireland, Malawi, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, etc.

The total MP3 audio and video downloads for April 2016 are 697 and 95 respectively.

Viewers can tune in via the “Live” tab of our church website www.blessedhope.sg or Church Mobile App. Alternatively, using www.sermonaudio/blessedhope .

Thank God for this new outreach ministry. May the Lord bless it for His glory! Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee