30 Jun July 28 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

A BENEDICITON AND DOXOLOGY

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Today’s verses are a benediction with a doxology included.  In the doxology the congregation proclaims who God is and what He has done for them.  The benediction addresses the congregation directly in God’s name in order to confer His blessing upon them.

Kleinig, in His Commentary, says, “The benediction is not, as it is often thought to be a prayer wish but actually conveys God’s blessing to the congregation as it is spoken in His name. It does what it says; it gives what it proclaims.  It equips the congregation ‘with every good thing’ that it needs to ‘do God’s will.’”  The blessing is clearly stated, it is God’s peace.  His gift of peace is peace with God and peace with one another.  It is given through the blood of Christ for it is His blood alone that cleanses those who receive it of their sins that would prevent them from having this peace.  Because of the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood their sins are removed and peace is given them.

And of the doxology, Kleinig states, “. . . it does not just call the congregation to praise Him, nor does it just proclaim His glory to them; rather, it is an enactment by which Jesus Christ is glorified as Lord.  By  its enactment the congregation pays homage to Him and acknowledges His divine status.  . . (and) confesses Jesus Christ by name as God’s Son and the Lord. . .as it receives good things from God through Him.”

It is God who “equips” the congregation “with every good thing” they need from Him in order to do His will.  God equips  His people with His heavenly gifts to work with Him on earth in their vocations led by the Holy Spirit as His holy people.  This is what God does for you and all of your fellow Christians as you gather together in Divine Worship through which He forgives your sins, strengthens your faith, and equips you to do good works.

(This devotion is drawn from pages 730-733 of Rev. Dr. John W Kleinig’s commentary on the book of Hebrews, pages 727-733.  Direct quotes are found within quotation marks.)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father grant me peace through Jesus Christ to live my life as a witness to you and to Your glory.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Thine forever God of love! Hear us from Thy throne above;

Thine forever may we be Here and in eternity!

Thine forever! Oh, how blest They who find in Thee their rest!

Savior, guardian, heavn’ly friend, O defend us to the end!

Thine forever, Lord of Life Shield us through our earthly strife.

Thou, the life, the truth, the way, Guide us to the realms of day.

Thine forever! Shepherd, keep These Thy frail and trembling sheep;

Safe alone beneath Thy care, Let us all Thy goodness share.

Thine forever! Thou our guide, All our wants by Thee supplied,

All our sins by thee forgiv’n; Lead us, Lord, from earth to heav’n.

(LSB 687)