Words Both Good and True: Day 1

But, as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand…be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:14-15, 24 (NASB)                                                      

In one way, all of Scripture is both good and true as well as “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

And, as most of us will testify, these benefits of Scripture have saved, guided and protected us on more than one occasion.

But there are special passages called benedictions that are some of the most powerful and beautiful passages in Scripture. Benediction comes from two Latin words: bene ‘good,” and dicto “words.”  Their unique power and timeless beauty is that they are focused on God alone. All the other passages that teach us and train us and comfort us are necessary and valuable, but benedictions are great praises to God.   

Often, these special words are found at the end of a chapter or a book of the Bible. For centuries they have been used as the “going out words” given by the officiant to the congregation at the end of a church service, a parting gift of sorts to worshippers going out into an uncertain world.

Comforting words are beautiful things, but the greatest comfort is always found in the truest perspective. Regardless of our understanding of present situations or people, while in this life, “we see in a mirror dimly” and only in eternity will we “fully know as we have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

 Forbid, O Lord God, that my thoughts today should be wholly occupied with the world’s passing show. See that in Thy lovingkindness Thou hast given me the power to lift my mind to the contemplation of things unseen and eternal, forbid that I should remain content with the things of sense and time. Grant rather that each day I may do something so to strengthen my hold upon the unseen world, so to increase my sense of its reality, and to attach my heart to its holy interests that, as the end of my earthly life draws ever nearer, I may not grow to be a part of these fleeting earthly surroundings, but rather grow more and more conformed to the life of the world to come.                                                                     

John Baillie “A Diary of Private Prayer

Nancy Shirah