- Benediction
Now may the God of peace… equip you with every good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight. – Hebrews 13:20-21
At the conclusion of the book of Hebrews, the writer offers up a benediction—a blessing. Consider the words, “Now may the God of peace…” As the world searches for peace, political leaders huddle together, thinking they have a solution for a world where conflict is prevalent. However, there is only One Source of true peace, and that is the God of peace. When people turn to Him in faith, they experience a deep and refreshing peace unlike anything the world has to offer.
The Lord then equips His people with what they need to fulfill His purpose for them. He does not leave them to flounder and try to find it for themselves – He guides you through the power of the Holy Spirit. His strength is available to you each day, you simply need to receive it by depending upon the Lord.
Through God’s provision and His work within you, you begin to reflect His Son, Christ Jesus. The will of God for your life is not accomplished through your own efforts and actions – it is perfected in you by God Himself. The Lord does the changing and transforming of your life. As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” In his commentary on the book of Hebrews, John MacArthur wrote, “The thing we must contribute to the Christian life is willing yieldedness. All we have to do is open the channel of our wills and let God’s power work through us.”
Accept this benediction for all that it is. Pray that others across the United States would learn to know the God of peace, of power, of provision, of purpose, and of blessing.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Philippians 1:2-11
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
