In the Crucible with Christ

Quarter 3, Lesson 10
“Meekness in the Crucible”
www.MichiganSSPM.org

MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5, NKJV

LESSON STUDY INTRO

• This week’s lesson explores “the relationship between suffering
[trials] and meekness” (Qtly, Sab aft).
o Meekness comes into play in enduring trials resulting from
interpersonal relationships.
The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that
meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our
Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which
we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. DA
301 (Qtly, Fri, par 1)

1. Meekness is ultimately the absence of pride (Sab, Wed)

• The quarterly defines meekness as “enduring injury with patience
and without resentment” (Qtly, Sab, par 1).
o The Strong’s concordance defines the Greek word praus as “mildness
of disposition, gentleness of spirit,” adding, “Meekness toward God
is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as
good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.”
• If pride is dwelling in the heart, there can be no gentleness
of spirit.
“Blessed are the meek [those who are gentle and forgiving, who, when
reviled, will not revile again, but who manifest a teachable spirit, and do not
hold themselves in high esteem]: for they shall inherit the earth.” 2T 631
If pride and selfishness were laid aside, five minutes would remove most
difficulties. Angels have been grieved and God displeased by the hours which
have been spent in justifying self. EW 119.1
2. Meekness must be cultivated (Sun, Mon)
• Moses was an example of meekness (Num. 12:3).
o He did not start out this way, however; his self-sufficiency took
40 years of herding sheep to remove.
Moses was not prepared for his great work. He had yet to learn the same
lesson of faith that Abraham and Jacob had been taught—not to rely upon
human strength or wisdom, but upon the power of God for the fulfillment
of His promises….
 In the school of self-denial and hardship he was to learn patience, to temper
his passions…. The habits of caretaking, of self-forgetfulness and tender
solicitude for his flock, thus developed, would prepare him to become the
compassionate, longsuffering shepherd of Israel. PP 247
•
• Through the trials Moses endured – not only in herding sheep,
but also in leading the Israelites – God developed in Moses the
meekness of Christ (see Ex. 32:1-4).
o “Let Me alone…” (v. 10)
• There is no way Moses could restrain God; the Lord was putting
Moses in a place He knew would elicit compassion.
…[Moses’] life itself was a living representation of what man can become and
accomplish with God as his helper… 1BC 1113.3
3. Meekness is our calling (Tue, Wed)
• Peter’s counsel regarding unjust treatment (1 Pet. 2:18-25)
is predicated on Christ’s example of meekness in suffering (vs. 21-23)
o “…for to this you were called…” (v. 21)
• Assuming the role of a victim, even when we’ve been victimized,
does not bring glory to God (we are all guilty of the blood of
Christ – vs. 10, 24).
• Responding with meekness reveals to others the character
of Christ (Mt. 5:43-48).
o See also 1 Pet. 2:12, 19-20
• Meekness is strength, not weakness
o Qtly, Thu, par 1 (last sentence)
• The stronger a person is, the less he or she feels the need
to prove or flaunt it.
The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under
abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His
right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is
the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of
their connection with the courts above. DA 301 (Qtly, Fri, par 1)
CONCLUSION
Those who are brought in controversy with the enemies of truth have to
meet, not only men, but Satan and his agents. Let them remember the
Saviour's words, “Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” Luke
10:3. Let them rest in the love of God, and the spirit will be kept calm, even
under personal abuse. The Lord will clothe them with a divine panoply. His
Holy Spirit will influence the mind and heart, so that their voices shall not
catch the notes of the baying of the wolves. DA 353.3