Charles Spurgeon told the story of an archbishop who lived in a small house in Scotland. He had only one employee, but the employee tended to be forgetful. One day the employee got up before the bishop and decided to go fishing. As he headed out, he locked Archbishop Leighton in the house with the only key. The door could not be unlocked without that key. The servant fished all day, forgetting all about the bishop. When he came home and finally unlocked the door, Archbishop Leighton simply said to him, “John, if you go out for a day’s fishing in the future, please leave me the key.” Where most people would have been fuming and lecturing the employee about his irresponsible behavior and the inconvenience it caused, the bishop had simply given himself to prayer and study in the house that day.²

I think the key here is that the bishop had spent his time in prayer. Upon finishing His time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was met with a mob of angry men who had one agenda: arresting the Son of God. His disciples (who had not prayed), scared and furious, began to react angrily; one of them even drew his sword against the soldiers, slicing off an ear. Accusations were hurled, betrayals were made, and in the midst of it all, Jesus remained calm, exuding with self-control and meekness. Meekness, not weakness. Here was the Son of God, with every right and all power to summon angels and do away with this accusing mob. Instead, He calmly said, “Friend, do what you came to do.” (Mat.26:50)

How do you respond when other people inconvenience you? How do you respond when someone falsely accuses you? How can we demonstrate meekness today? Can we lay down our “rights” and allow God’s glory to shine through? I know that bathed in prayer we can! We can have the power of meekness, just like Jesus.

Dear God, You loved me enough to lay Your life down for me; help me to lay down my will and self-entitlement so that You shine through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1.    1 Timothy 6:11 (KJV).

2.    Charles Spurgeon, “The Third Beatitude,” no. 3065.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.