AFReG Call to Prayer—25 January 2022

January 25, 2022

Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5)

The Greek word translated as “meek” is praeis. It has also been translated in other parts of the New Testament as gentleness and humility. It can be translated as mildness or compliant, depending on context.

It is important to differentiate between meekness and weakness. Weakness has to do with the lack of ability to act in a situation. Sometimes, it is rooted in passiveness, aloofness or irresponsibility. Those still qualify as emotional shortcomings.

Meekness has to do with the choice to act God’s way in the pursuit of peace and unity, in spite of the ability to do otherwise. Meekness is about having strength under control. The meek keep a cool head in emotional charged situations and are able to choose pathways that are pleasing to God.    

The meek place their confidence in God and do what they have to do responsibly.

The apostle Paul illustrates how the meek handle opponents. They instruct them gently in the hope that God will bring them to the place of embracing what is right and true.

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Tim 2: 25)

The confidence is not in what they can do to change situations. They have a right measure of what they can do and what only God can do. They see even what they can do as dependent on God-given ability and responsibility. The confidence of the meek is in Yahweh who is the righteous Chief Justice on all human affairs.

Abraham illustrated meekness in his dealing with Lot (Genesis 13). When they had more possessions than their shared land could accommodate, they decided to part ways. Abraham willingly gave Lot the advantage by inviting him to choose his preferred portion of land first. Lot chose what looked to be a good pastureland to the east; the whole plain of the Jordan. Abraham gladly accepted the land of Canaan. His confidence was in God. He had a godly abundance mindset. He believed that God would supply his needs.

Sure enough, God showed up. He asked Abraham to look as far north-to-south, east-to-west, as his eyes could see. God promised to give him and his descendants all the land that he could see.

Abraham’s faith paid off. God is not lacking in resources to bless each one of us beyond our human capacities and imaginations. It is courage and faith that lead us to choose God’s ways. We must believe that those who trust in Him lack nothing.