Matthew 5:5 - Contemplating Humility

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:5
(KJV)

Those who are humble are happy, because the earth will belong to
them. Mat 5:5 (NCV)

"Meekness" toward God means that we accept His will and His
dealing with us as good, that we submit to Him in all things, without
hesitation.  [SDA Commentary]

This beatitude is taken from Ps 37:11 and refers not so much to
an attitude toward man as to a disposition before God, namely,
humility. [NIV SB]

What does it mean - humility? The dictionary defines it thus:
The quality or state of being humble in spirit; freedom from pride
or arrogance. Augustine says, "It was pride that changed angels
into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." Again, he
says, "Should you ask me, What is the first thing in religion? I
should reply, The first, second, and third thing therein - nay all- is
humility." Ben Franklin said, "After crosses and losses men grow humbler
and wiser." Jonathan Edwards said, "Nothing sets a person so much
out of the devil's reach as humility." And others have said, "The
fullest and best ears of corn hang lowest toward the ground" (Edward
Reynolds). "I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility"
(Ruskin). "Humility is the Christian's greatest honor; and the higher men
climb, the further they are from heaven" (Jane Porter). "True humility
makes way for Christ, and throws the soul at His feet" (J. Mason).

For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives
forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also
with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit [KJV humble], to revive
the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isa
57:15 (NIV)

The meek (humble) are those who quietly submit themselves to
God, to his word and to his rod, who follow his directions, and
comply with his designs, and are gentle towards all men <Titus 3:2>;
who can bear provocation without being inflamed by it; are either
silent, or return a soft answer; and who can show their displeasure when
there is occasion for it, without being transported into any
indecencies; who can be cool when others are hot; and in their patience keep
possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of
any thing else. They are the meek, who are rarely and hardly
provoked, but quickly and easily pacified; and who would rather forgive
twenty injuries than revenge one, having the rule of their own spirits.
(Matthew Henry's Commentary)

Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not
appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. . . .  "If
any man will come after Me, let him deny himself" (Matthew 11:29;
16:24); let self be dethroned and no longer hold the supremacy of the
soul. . . . He who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of
love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is yielded
to the disposal of the Holy Spirit. Then we are not anxious to have
the highest place. We have no ambition to crowd and elbow ourselves
into notice; but we feel that our highest place is at the feet of our
Saviour. We look to Jesus, waiting for His hand to lead, listening for
His voice to guide. The apostle Paul had this experience, and he
said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for
me." Galatians 2:20. . . . .Lowliness of heart, that meekness which
is the fruit of abiding in Christ, is the true secret of blessing.
. . . .Through humility and self-surrender we may become heirs
with Him when "the meek shall inherit the earth." MB14-18