“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 fo 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
The author finishes out the book of Hebrews with a prayer for all believers. He starts this prayer by calling God the God of peace. There are some people who only look at the wars God called the people to fight in the Old Testament and describe Him as a God of war. Others also look at the narrowness of following only Jesus to get into heaven and call Him a God of division and hate. God can be seen as a God of peace because He desires to make peace with man. All He asks men to do is seek forgiveness and follow Jesus. Men want to have the peace on their own terms getting what they want.
The author, then, asks that God will equip you with everything good. If God did not love you or want a relationship with you, He would not give you everything good that you need. And notice too that this good is not just for your sake, but for you to be able to do His will. Remember, not all good necessarily feels good. Think about when you touch a hot stove, if you did not feel the pain you would be seriously burned, but because you feel the pain you immediately pull your hand back and are not seriously injured, thus the pain is good. God will allow things in your life that may feel painful, but are for your good so that you can do His will.
Notice that this good is to do His will, not to be pleasing to ourselves or to others. Ultimately everything is to bring pleasure to God through Jesus Christ. Everything we do is for the glory of God.
Today ask God to reveal to you what He is equipping you to do. Ask Him to work in your life His will. Ask God to help you to be pleasing to Him. Know that Jesus is the Great Shepherd who will watch over and care for you.
I pray that today God will continue to equip you to do His will; that God will reveal His will for you today; that God will work through you in accomplishing His will upon the earth; that you will follow God in doing His will; and that Jesus Christ will receive all glory for ever and ever.
Leave a Reply