Tag: Hebrews 13:20-21
Day 3–Equipping Blessing
Scripture reading for June 17: 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, 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.”
The writer of Hebrews closed his letter with a short prayer and blessing. This prayer confesses Jesus as Lord and our Great Shepherd. It humbly asks that through the blood of the eternal covenant Christ Jesus would equip us with everything we need to fulfill His will and that He would work into our character and life that which pleases Him. The blessing closes with a declaration of ascribed glory to Jesus Christ forever and ever!
This prayer and blessing is a good one for responders to declare daily over their lives. Let’s look at the Names of God mentioned in the blessing. First, ‘The God of peace” is acknowledged. Peace is one of the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit and peacemaking is one of the blessings taught by Jesus in yesterday’s devotion. (Matthew 5:9) Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be known as the ‘Prince of Peace’ in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus brings us peace through forgiveness of sins by His sacrifice of His body and blood on the cross. Now our resurrected Lord Jesus mediates our peace by prayer seated at the Father’s right hand. He equips us to become peacemakers and bless others, reflecting God’s nature.
Jesus is also our ‘Good Shepherd’ and here addressed as ‘the Great Shepherd of the sheep.’ Shepherds guide the sheep, leading them to safe pastures and streams of water. They give the sheep everything they need to follow and reproduce. Shepherds also protect the sheep from wolves and predators. The Great Shepherd provides everything we need to do His will and works His plans into our lives as His sheep. All good sheep can only give glory to Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd forever and ever!
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are made known to us as ‘the God of peace’ and our ‘Great Shepherd’ Who made with us an eternal covenant of peace through Jesus’ shed blood. I surrender to You to work in me what is pleasing in Your sight equipping me to do Your will. To You be glory forever! Amen.
Our Great Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 30: Hebrews 13
“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, 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. Hebrews 13:20-21
The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter with a blessing for a benediction. I love blessings and all God’s people love to be blessed and rejoice in their deliverance from the curse of sin and death. Here God the Father is called the “God of Peace” because of His wonderful plan of redemption that worked out peace with God and sinners who were separated from God and under His wrath. His amazing plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to demonstrate the love of the God of Peace. Jesus would be God’s final Word that would draw mankind to repentance and faith and adoption into His forever family.
Jesus Christ is introduced in this blessing as the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Jesus came to call His sheep out of the world of sin and darkness. He came to lead them to quiet waters of peace with God and green pastures of transforming food. This Great Shepherd laid down His own life as a sacrifice for sin to purchase back the lost sheep. He gave His own blood to make an ‘eternal covenant’ of righteousness by faith. The Father sent His Holy Spirit to equip the purchased sheep to love Him and others and do His will. The Holy Spirit would make them pleasing to God as He worked increasing faith and obedience into their lives through a deeper walk with God. All this results in glory and honor and praise to God the Father and Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen!
Have you received this blessing from the God of Peace? Are you pleasing God through a life of faith, doing what is pleasing in His sight? Is the Great Shepherd leading you each day to fulfill God’s will and live a life of peace and worship?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your peace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Great Shepherd Who leads me daily through His Holy Spirit to do what is pleasing to God. May my life and faith bring joy and glory to my Great Shepherd and the God of Peace. Amen.
Looking for a city!
Scripture reading for March 4th: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13:14-17 “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
The writer of Hebrews was not looking for a permanent home here on earth. He emphatically stated, “here we have no lasting city,” but “we seek the city that is to come.” He had earlier described it at Mt. Zion, (Hebrews 12:22-24) another name for Jerusalem. He described it has the “heavenly Jerusalem” which consisted of unnumberable angels in joyful assembly and the assembly of the “Firstborn”, whose names were written on the roll of the city. In this city, there is joyful worship and eternal joy in God’s presence. Because of this, we prepare now by doing good and sharing with others our goods and the good news! We obey our leaders and submit to them. We invite God to do His will in us and through us to His eternal glory!
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, 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.”
Prayer: Father God, I also am seeking the city that You promised to Your people, the heavenly Jerusalem! I have no lasting city here but want my name in Your book! Lead me by Your Holy Spirit to do good works and to share. Help me to obey my leaders and submit. May You work in me Your will and good pleasure. The best is yet to come!
Numbers 6:24-27 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Seeking the City to Come!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Hebrews 13
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 13:12-16 “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
In closing this letter, the writer of Hebrews uses Jesus as an example for the Jewish believers. Jesus, the Jew, was condemned to die a criminal’s death, outside the gates of Jerusalem, the city of God. The ‘King of the Jews’ suffered death by crucifixion in order to sanctify all people, Jew and Gentile, by bearing their reproach and sins. Jesus Christ arose from the grave and ascended back to heaven, preparing a place in the City of God, the New Jerusalem. He is coming again and will in finality bring the New Jerusalem down from heaven as a dwelling place for His Bride, the Church. In faith, the Church lives a life of worship and service to God. They are looking for the City to come and the return of the Bridegroom for the Bride!
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give and account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, I recognize that I truly have no city or true home in this world that is hostile to You. I am looking for the City that is to come and the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to be watchful over my brothers and sisters and to set a godly example of worship and sacrifice. I want to please my Lord and Father!
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, 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.”
I receive the blessing!
Scripture reading for March 4th: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13
Key Scriptures: 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, 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.”
The Jewish believer who wrote Hebrews, ended his letter with a wonderful benediction or blessing. He speaks a prayer of blessing over believers that the “God of peace” Who raised Jesus Christ, His Son, from the dead, would equip them with all they needed to do His will and be pleasing in His sight. The “Great Shepherd” Jesus Himself would enable them. His glory would be eternal! Amen!
Numbers 6:22-27 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” So shall you put My Name upon the people of Israel and I will bless them.”
Faith Confession and prayer: I receive the blessings of God through Jesus Christ my Lord and Great Shepherd, risen from the dead by my Father of peace. Lord, equip me afresh today to do Your will and bring You eternal glory. Amen!
Thankful for covenant faithfulness!
Scripture reading for March 21st: 1st Samuel 20-23
Key Scriptures: 1st Samuel 20:13-15 “May the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. But show me unfailing kindness like that of the Lord as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family–not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
Jonathan, King Saul’s son, made a covenant with David. Jonathan’s own father was seeking to harm David and Jonathan promised to warn his covenant friend. He asked that David would show him and his family covenant faithfulness like that of the Lord.
Thankful for covenant faithfulness: Our Lord Jesus, Son of David, has promised to protect us and show mercy to all those who put their trust in Him! “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” (Hebrews 13:20-21)