The Power of Benedictions Part 2

"The Power of Benedictions, Part 2"

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Remember that benedictions are "good words" or "words of blessings." They instruct God's people even as they encourage us. They express the desire of the one pronouncing the benediction for those who receive it. And, we can't forget that these biblical benedictions come by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, they tell us of God's desire for us.

Yesterday Paul taught us that God is a God of patience and comfort. Today's benediction teaches us that He is also "the God of hope." In Romans 15:4, Paul reminds us that all God's instruction is given that "we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." We're learning through the benedictions that the God of patience, comfort and hope is the source of all we need in our lives.

Notice the progression of Paul's "good word" for the Roman church and for us. He prays that the God of hope will fill us with "joy and peace in believing." The joy and peace rest on believing (the word has the idea of "habitually" believing). Joy and peace flow from our justification through Christ's atonement. The more we allow the reality of our salvation to take over our lives, the more joy and peace we'll experience.

He goes on, though, and tells us that the result of having this joy and peace is that we may "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I did a little study on the word "abound." It has the sense of exceeding a fixed number or measure or to be in affluence. Kenneth Wuest translates it as "super-abundance!"

Here's the progression: the God of hope fills us with joy and peace as we focus on our new life in Christ. The more that joy and peace fills our lives, we see a super-abundance of hope in every part of our lives. And, this all happens because the indwelling Spirit of God displays His power in us.

Do you see why this is a "good word," a "word of blessing?" The true and living God works in us to fill us with joy and peace, qualities we could not know without Him. Through the power of God's Spirit, that joy and peace make us affluent in hope. All this comes from Scripture; we can trust it!

So, I pray for each of you who read this Freedom Fighter: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." That's a good word! -- Pastor Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 19; Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

Think about this: God has work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off His authority. It is not enough that we be just, that we be righteous, and walk with God in holiness; but we must also serve our generation, as David did before he fell asleep. God has a work to do; and not to help Him is to oppose Him. -- John Owen