This incredible letter to the Hebrews ends with a series of exhortations telling the followers of Christ how to live a life of faith and a faithful life. We are commanded to keep on loving one another (13:1–5), to keep on trusting God and nothing else (5–6). God's children are to be a blessing to their leaders, joyfully following their leadership, imitating their faith (7–8, 17), and we are to keep on praising God in the name of Jesus (15).
The closing prayer, two simple verses, have provided much food for my soul over the past several years. I memorized these precious words in 1998 and I have spent much time feasting in this pasture ever since.
Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
In and through Jesus we have peace with God, we are no longer under HIS wrath, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are filled with the peace of God. This peace is not moved by our circumstances because it is founded on the Rock, it is resting on the founder and finisher of our faith...Jesus Christ! Not only are we filled with the peace of God, but we have the promise of HIS presence and it is the presence of the very one who laid down HIS life for us...the good shepherd. Again, as we cry out for the filling of the Holy Spirit we rest in knowing that "the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." We know that though the blood of the everlasting covenant we have become HIS sheep and as we surrender our lives to HIM...we have the promise of HIS presence, protection and HIS guidance...we rest in knowing that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). It is God alone who will make us complete in every good work to do HIS will. As we constantly acknowledge our desperation for HIM, surrendered to HIM, HE will bring about the renewing of our minds, HE will conform us to the image of HIS son.
We find rest and peace in knowing that the shepherd of our souls is present with us..."I will never leave your or forsake you." It is awestriking to rest in HIS presence, HIS protection and HIS perfecting of our faith! My job is to follow HIM, pursue HIM, trust HIM, rest in HIM and HE will work in me what is well pleasing in HIS sight!
My rock solid confidence in this coming to pass rests in the knowledge that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever...HIS promises are just as good today as they were thousands of years ago and then in Romans 8:32...He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
If God the Father would not withhold HIS only Begotten we can be confident that HE will freely give us all things and that in ALL THINGS HE is working to the good of those who love HIM.
Is 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: “Where is He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them,
Jn 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
1 Pe 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!
love,
m