Blessed Are The Meek Not The Weak
I believe that we've mistakenly assumed that meek meant weak and missed the true meaning of the word. Meekness is a quiet confidence and assurance in God's Word. When you have complete confidence that God will do what He said, you don't feel compelled to defend, protect or promote yourself. You have confidence in the authority that God gave to you and you know that you have all of heaven's resources at your disposal if you need them. There's no need to get uptight or anxious because you know how it's going to end. You win. God's got your back. You can then simply rest in His promises.
I believe the world has seen Christians resting in God and mistaken it for weakness. This isn't surprising though because many have an inaccurate picture of Jesus' character as well. Even though Jesus believed in peace and love He wasn't a push over or a wimp. I believe that Jesus demonstrated a strong, quiet confidence that instinctively demanded respect. He didn't need to yell and shout and fight. People were drawn to Him because of that confidence of knowing He was the I Am and because of the Father’s love that exuded from everything He said and did. They felt God's love through Jesus' gentleness.
You've probably seen a picture of a big, strong man holding a delicate, little baby. Without words or movement, the picture says so much. The man's muscles and physique prove his strength and power, but the way he cradles the baby shows his love and gentleness. I believe that's the picture God wants us to have about Him. God is our Father with unsurpassing strength and power. He stands guard over us to defend and protect us. He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is also Love which is the gentle side of His character. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. He loved us so much that He worked out an intricate redemption plan to save us. He welcomes us back like the prodigal son and puts out a grand party to celebrate our arrival. This is regardless of our mistakes or shortcomings. He has made us righteous and joint heirs with Christ. He has stored up an inheritance for us that we can enjoy here on earth and for eternity in heaven.
With all that said, I wonder if we could close the door on this question with some Biblical truths. We were made in the likeness of God. We know that God isn't weak therefore we aren't either. And, if the meek are the blessed, then meek can't mean weak because we are blessed. We are blessed coming in and going out. We are blessed in the city and in the fields. Everything we set our hands to do is blessed. We are blessed to be a blessing. You can't be a blessing to others if you're weak. This seals it for me, how about you?
Further Explanation of "Meek"
Source: "The Strong's Concise Concordance and Vine's Concise Dictionary of the Bible," 1997 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
"It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was "meek" because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all."
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