Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14 ESV)
May the God who’s watchful eye never sleeps;
The God of wonders, power and love;
May He keep your feet from falling,
And make your thanks endless be,
Until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.*
(from 1 Peter 1:5 and All Praise to God Who Reigns Above by Johann J. Schutz)
* selection from Benedictions: A Pocket Resource by Robert I. Vasholz
Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands…(1Timothy 2:8 KJV)
May the Lord guide you always;
May you be like a well watered garden,
Like a spring whose waters never fail.
When you cry for help, may the Lord always say,
‘Here I am’
(from Isaiah 58:9,11)
Selection from Benedictions: A Pocket Resource by Robert I. Vasholz
Now to you who have died, been buried and have been raised in Christ,
and whose life has been hidden in Christ
and who will be revealed with Him in glory;
GO,
knowing that it is by your faith that you stand firm,
by His life that is at work in you.
(Scripture references: Colossians 3:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 1:24 & 4:12)
*selection from Benedictions: A Pocket Reference by Robert I. Vasholz
So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. (1 Timothy 6:8 NLT)
Over the next few weeks, I plan to post selections from the book, Benedictions: A Pocket Resource by Robert I. Vasholz.
In the introduction to the book, Vasholz explains the definition and use of benedictions in the liturgy of the church:
The word benediction derives from two Latin words that mean to “speak well of”. Benedictions are pronounced by ministers at the close of worship services as an expression of hope and encouragement to God’s people to face whatever their future might hold. They are a reminder of a good and great God, Who is rich in mercy, Who is not only for them but with them in whatever trials may befall their life.
The book includes 109 benedictions arranged by Vasholz, the first 53 exclusively from Scripture and the rest include selected phrases from hymns coupled with Scripture.
Instead of sharing them in order, I will post them, as they speak to my heart. I long to be encouraged by God’s word and His Presence evoked through these words spoken over our souls.
May your heart be encouraged, as you pause to reflect on God’s good words and His goodness.
The benediction for today comes from Philippians 4:11 and the hymn, Father I know that all my life by Anna L. Waring:
Now may you be satisfied to fill a little space if God be glorified,
And not hurry to and fro seeking for some great thing to do,
But seek from God daily strength while keeping at His side,
Till you can say with the apostle of old, I have learned
to be content
In whatever circumstance I am in.
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.
(Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)
Closing words of blessing. Assurance when we don’t feel it. A good word breathed over and into our souls: benediction.
Our youngest son bought three copies of this book. One for himself, one for his brother and future sister-in-law and one for his parents. That he thought of us brings a smile to my heart. This small act of kindness, a book full of blessings reassures me that God cares about me and my spiritual needs.
Will you pause with me for a moment?
A moment to remember how rich and wide and deep and long-lasting is the love of God.
A moment to recall that God hears our cry for intimacy and goodness.
May the One who makes the crocus burst into bloom, who makes the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy . . . Grant you the power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. (From Benedictions by Robert I. Vasholz, from Isaiah 35:1,6 & Colossians 3:18-19)
Intuition Diaries 