Meek Peacemakers

Meek Peacemakers (by guest writer David Peterson)

Jesus begins the Beatitudes at the very start of His Sermon on the Mount. With His third blessing and happy statement, He says in Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.” Jesus is telling us that the gentle (meek or humble) will be rewarded with a multitude of blessings, as echoed in Psalm 37:11. These are people who rely on God to control events, not themselves.

A.W. Tozer, the renowned Christian pastor and author, once wrote:

“A new Decalogue has been adopted by some of our day, the first words of which read, ‘Thou shalt not disagree,’ and a new set of Beatitudes too, which begins, ‘Blessed are they that tolerate everything, for they shall not be made accountable for anything.’

It is now the accepted thing to talk over religious differences in public with the understanding that no one will try to convert another or point out errors in his belief.

Imagine Moses agreeing to take part in a panel discussion with Israel over the golden calf; or Elijah engaging in a gentlemanly dialogue with the prophets of Baal. Or try to picture Jesus seeking a meeting of minds with the Pharisees to iron out differences.

The blessing of God is promised to the peacemaker, but the religious negotiator had better watch his step. Darkness and light can never be brought together by talk. Some things are not negotiable.”

Tozer, like Jesus, is saying that meek does not mean weak. Indeed, Jesus used the word praus to mean “mild” and “meek,” but the biblical meaning is not weakness—it is strength under control. The idea is to demonstrate power without undue harshness, even while pursuing peace. This leads to being uncompromising regarding God’s Word.

Julia Johnston wrote The Beatitudes hymn in 1899. The third stanza is:

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Let me be meek and lowly, Lord,

And gain from Thee the blest reward.

Johnston reflects on the blessings received by living with bridled strength.

Let us pray: Father, we pray today that You would draw us into meekness. Soften our hearts and remind us of the gift of gentleness, even in peaceful pursuits. Amen.