Thomas à Kempis [c.1380-25 July 1471], a German-Dutch canon, was the widely acclaimed author of that classic, ‘The Imitation of Christ’, one of the most popular and best-known Christian devotional books. He belonged to the Monastery of Mount St. Agnes, in Zwolle, Netherlands, where he was a talented copyist. It’s hard to imagine a world without printed material, isn’t it? Yet Thomas is known to have copied the entire Bible four times! His own writings are rich with biblical quotations, especially from the New Testament.
Intriguingly, he writes, “Temptations are oft-times right profitable to man, though they be heavy and grievous, for in them a man is meeked, purged and sharply taught…Learn to obey, thou dust! Learn to meek thyself, thou earth and clay.” I was delighted when I read this quaintly worded piece of advice. I discovered that ‘to meek’ is an old English verb meaning ‘to humble’. I mused on some things that have ‘meeked’ me, and wondered if I have been earnest in my desire to ‘meek’ myself.
The apostle Paul gives a similar instruction: “Put on then…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” [Colossians 3:12, English Standard Version]. From him we learn there’s a difference between meekness and humility; but what it is? It has always fascinated me. From a modern dictionary you could think the word indicates a mildness of nature, or a reticence towards involvement, or weakness, but that isn’t the biblical standpoint. From scripture, we understand meekness is strength under control.
Yahshua described Himself as ‘meek and lowly in heart’ [Matthew 11:29]; whilst Moses was described as ‘very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth’. These two leaders were extremely powerful men, who had the infinite resources of Yahweh at their command, and fulfilled His will against incredible odds. Weak they were not; meekness is a fruit of power! Vine’s Expository Dictionary describes it as an “equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.”
The temptations, sufferings, and difficulties we face are ‘oft-times profitable’ for us; Yahweh allows them so we may be ‘meeked, purged and sharply taught’. Beautiful!
Photo by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/photos/1rP5Xc5RGvU
You Are The BranchesClick to see the whole passage:
1 timothy 3:16 NIV - Beyond all question, the mystery from - Bible Gateway
Lives have been changed. People from all walks of life have been born again through the gospel. Our message does work.
Roger Thomas
The Congregation Of Yahweh
Head Office (UK)
27A Carlton Road
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
United Kingdom
NG3 2DG
T: 0115 837 8083
E:
W: www.congyah.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 245132
© Copyright 2024 The Congregation Of Yahweh
