I’m sure most of my readers know what a benediction is, but in case there is one who doesn’t, a benediction is most known as the short blessing at the end of a religious service such as a prayer or Scripture verse. A benediction is also known as an expression of good wishes. For me, a benediction reminds me of an end to something. As stated in the definition, it’s at the end of a worship service. But more than that, I think of the benediction of the end of a person’s life.
The purpose of a benediction is to declare a reality. It speaks a spiritual fact about your life. So when it comes to the end of your life, the final benediction will most likely be at the graveside. What would you like that last benediction to be? I’d like to hear others say that I lived my life pleasing to the Lord. Though I will not physically hear it said, that is what I want others to remember about me, and in the words of a song, “May all who come behind us find us faithful”.
“May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13, NIV
This is not my last post on this blog and not the last one about peace, though I will write on other topics as well. But if it was my last post, I would want to leave you with a benediction such as the one above or below.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself
give you His peace at all times and in every situation.
The Lord be with you all.”
II Thessalonians 3:16, NLT
A benediction is not the end (like we think of a benediction) of peace, but the end of struggles as peace comes to stay. In this world there will never be true permanent and lasting peace, but we can cease struggling when God’s peace comes in. To cease struggling is certainly an unending battle, isn’t it?! It’s kind of like putting out one fire only to find another one starting. I often find myself saying now what? Or what next? Many times it seems in life that you no sooner get one problem resolved and another presents itself. Even in the midst of problems, struggles, difficulties, and health issues, though, it’s not the end of peace. Peace didn’t fly out the window or get buried underneath all the issues. It’s still there. We need to guard it with all diligence and look for it. Don’t let the hard things of life push out the peace. Don’t let peace slip away like a neglected friend. Cultivate it by making space for it so the weeds of life don’t choke it out. Hold onto peace because that is what will help get you through those hard times.
God be With You Till We Meet Again is known both as a doxology hymn and a benediction. Listen to it and consider the words of the four verses with the chorus ending in “God be with you till we meet again.” One church I attended sang it occasionally at the end of a service and another church sang it every Sunday at the end of the service as we joined hands across the aisles. The song has a sad connotation for me because at one church we always sang it on the last Sunday our pastor was present with us before he and his family moved to another church. We aren’t promised tomorrow or even the next breath, so to say God be with you till we meet again can be a short-term blessing or it could be a final ending. But even if it is the final ending of death on this earth, eternity has so much more peace and blessings than we could ever experience here.
The benediction of peace isn’t just for the good times, but the bad as well. The last verse above says “at all times and in every situation”. God’s peace is available to us at all times—good, bad, sad, happy, hard, easy—and in every situation—health, finances, relationships, work, play.
Since we’re talking about benedictions and the end of life, can I encourage you (if you haven’t already done so) to sit down and plan out your funeral? I had to wing it with end of life issues with my parents’ illnesses and deaths because they never wanted to sit down and talk about it. I didn’t want my kids to have to go through that, so I’ve planned out everything and provided a copy to my pastor. I want the benediction of my life to be a celebration because I’ll be promoted to eternity with Jesus…the very best benediction!