Our God is kind. He doesn’t exploit the weak or leave the vulnerable to fend for themselves. He acts on their behalf, standing in the way of hostile opponents and shielding his people from their evil schemes. In weakness, we are strong whenever we surrender ourselves to his care.

Psalm 82 celebrates this aspect of God’s character. But it’s also what we appeal to when we pray “lead us not into temptation” and “deliver us from evil”. As we pray the Lord’s prayer, we do so in humility, conscious of both our vulnerability in the world and our propensity to sin. 

But we pray that prayer to God as our heavenly Father. Orphaned by sin, he repatriates us with himself through his Son and invites us in. Our adoption opens us to the riches of his inheritance. As our loving father, his willingness and ability to defend us in our weakness and supply our every need give us every reason to rejoice.

Our poverty and weakness, together with our hunger and sadness, cause us to crave that which only God can provide. In this, there is blessing, knowing our heavenly father supplies. Though poor in spirit, the kingdom of God is ours. Though weak, we will inherit the earth because Christ has conquered and brought us into his presence.