Editorial March 11, 1939 Issue

The Armor of Meekness

Evelyn F. Heywood

"Meekness, moderating human desire, inspires wisdom and procures divine power," writes Mary Baker Eddy on page 360 of "Miscellaneous Writings." In gratitude for what God had done for his father, David, and in humility at the thought of the great tasks which lay before him as king of Israel, Solomon prayed in the night for wisdom that was to benefit others even more than himself. No small measure of spiritual illumination must have come to Solomon in that hour of communion with God. Many centuries later it was to be expressed by Christ Jesus in the words, "I can of mine own self do nothing."

We not only see that without divine aid —the result of Solomon's vision—he could accomplish nothing, but also the greatness of his immediate reward. Seeking first the kingdom of heaven, the benefits of spiritual rather than of material power, he had other things added to him. With such a prayer, expressing the meekness that moderates human desire, came wisdom, honor, and boundless opportunity to be of service to mankind.

It is always that "own self," or false sense of self, which would separate us from God and rob us of fruition. This is the source of all the troubles from which mortals suffer, whether of self-exaltation or self-depreciation; whether of self-will or self-effacement. The meekness that is of God not only inherits the earth, but also expresses itself in calmness and in confidence, in a just and joyful exercise of spiritual benefits. The meekness that is might carries with it, as Jesus manifested, divine authority.

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