What we find in Christ we don’t find consistently in this world. Jesus’ opening words in the Sermon on the Mount run counter to what we often see played out in the world.
A.W. Tozer in the little classic, The Pursuit of God, says this:
Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers; instead of meekness, arrogance; instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, “I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing”; instead of mercy we find cruelty; instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful; instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command.
The way of the well-kept soul is the way of humility. It is not found in the brashness of plowing ahead and running over everyone else. It is the way of the Master. But, meekness is not weakness.
The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority… he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God’s own estimate of his own life.
God is filled with love and hope for humanity… for us… but that way is found through the cross, not our own power.
The one who is humble and has a well-kept soul is the one who allows God to defend who they are. The old struggle to defend oneself is over. There is peace that meekness brings. The soul is well.
Tozer’s prayer:
Deliver me from prose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find my true peace in beholding Thee. That Thou mayest answer this prayer I humble myself before Thee. Lay upon me Thy easy yoke of self-forgetfulness that through it I may find rest. Amen.
Apprentice 2 Jesus 