20 Feb March 16th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

WORDS OF BENEDICTION

2 Thessalonians 3:16, 18 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you . . . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”

Words of benediction!  You are accustomed to hearing such words at the end of a worship service.  Here, in today’s devotional verses, you are receiving words of benediction at the end of the letter St. Paul addressed to the Thessalonians and you have been meditating upon through a series of devotions.

Rev. Kyle Norman wrote an article to explain the word benediction.  He had in mind in the following explanation the benediction spoken at the end of a worship service.  He wrote, “A church service can be a spiritual oasis for many people. Taking part in worship, surrounded by fellow brothers and sisters in the faith, orients our lives toward God. Worship reminds us who we are as people created in God’s own image; we experience the assurance of Christ’s unyielding love, and constant presence. In turn, this spiritual oasis helps us navigate the complexity of our lives and the struggles we sometimes encounter.”

What Rev. Norman has written about the benediction spoken at the end of a worship service also applies to a book of the Bible or a series of daily devotions.  These daily devotions, it is hoped, provide you with a spiritual oasis, a place where for a few minutes you can find nourishment and comfort through meditating upon God’s word.  The goal of these devotions is to remind you that you have been created in God’s image.  Through His written word you receive assurance of Christ’s unyielding love.

I pray you have found these devotions based upon St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians to serve you as a spiritual oasis that has helped you navigate the complexity of your life and the struggles you encounter.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you . . . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”

Prayer:  Grant me, O Lord, Your grace each and every day for Jesus’ sake.  In His holy name.  Amen.

Go, My children with My blessing,

]Never alone Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are My own.

In My love’s baptismal river I have made you Mine forever.

Go, My children, with My blessing— You are My own.

Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.

Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure.

Here you heard My dear Son’s story;

Here you touched Him, saw His glory. Go,

My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.

Go, My children, fed and nourished, Closer to Me;

Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free.

Here My Spirit’s power filled you;

Here His tender comfort stilled you;

Go, My children, Fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace;

I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace:

I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.

Go, My children; I will keep you And give you peace.

(LSB 922)