20 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, 21 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. (Heb. 13:20)
Scripture exhorts us, enjoins us, encourages us to bless and not to curse. I have assembled many of the benedictions in the Bible and sometimes pray them over my wife. I did so tonight as she was resting during a treatment.
We must train ourselves to bless and not curse. We have lost the art of benediction in our glibness, our superficiality, and our ignorance. We should wish God's best on all, and say so. Many services lack a concluding benediction. This is sad and a great loss. "Have nice day," does not do it. It is a humanistic benediction, lacking theological and spiritual power.
Pray benedictions over your loved ones who are ill, over the loved ones who are healthy; have others pray them over you. Bless and do not curse. This is not magic; it is biblical. We have lost the skill in many ways. Let us return to the living and active word of God: the benediction, the invocation of divine blessing beyond what we could possibly ever do.
I will send you my list of benedictions--which may not be complete--if you email me.
What a beautiful thing to offer a benediction. We speak the words of grace and mercy into the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful reminder to one of our underused gifts and opportunities.