Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Who are the meek and what does it mean to inherit the earth? As noted before, it’s not the meek that are blessed, but rather those who are bless-ed are meek. Sadly, meekness is not a positive word in our culture. It conjures weakness and passivity, which we know can’t be correct since Jesus is referred to as meek.
Praus, here translated meek, is one of those words that doesn’t have an easy correlation in English. Strong’s says that it is God’s strength under control. A common picture used is that of a horse being tamed by a bridle. So it is someone who, while strong, willingly yields to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Meekness is not an outward behavior, but “rather it is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting;”[1]
I want that to be me yet I often chafe at the bit. When my desires and will collide with His direction, it is easy for me to seek justification for my way or even to question whether it is God leading. Do I trust in His goodness when the answer to my prayer is no? Regretfully, sometimes I have a pity party or push on in denial. That’s not meekness; it's a strong-willed tantrum.
Seeking God and being confident of His goodness will yield meekness within. It is a byproduct, not the goal. Meekness, like humility, can’t be pursued successfully on its own – but rather it is cultivated in our character when we pursue God.
Lord, you have given me a will of my own and the freedom to exercise it in many ways. Because You have also given me the confidence of Your love, I don’t need to seek my own power and can love my neighbor in Your strength. I want more of You, less of me. And may the abundant fruit of blessedness, including meekness, flourish in my life.
Next up:
Inheriting the earth!
[1] Vines expository
