Today I was reminded of church services of years gone by, when the time of gathering was brought to a close with a prayer. But then there was that moment in which our pastor would invite us all to lift our hands and he would give the benediction.
The moment was special to me. Often the words felt like they were uttered just for me. Truly they were, as they were intended for each one who had ears to hear.
The benediction – it was a form of blessing pronounced by the pastor over each one in the congregation.
But it was even more …
It was those words which breathed hope into the week ahead. It was the final word of the service before we all departed for our own homes, and somehow, it was the word we could hold onto until we came together again.
The small book of Jude, only 25 verses in total, closes with a benediction. Jude wrote to bring a word of warning to the early churches who were struggling in their faith.
He encourages them to contend for their faith – to fight to hold onto or maintain their faith. His words are for us today as well.
He closes his short letter, which is strong in correction, with words of encouragement and hope. Hear his words spoken over not only the early believers, but over every believer since, and over us today:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (verses 24-25, NASB)
Here we find a promise within a promise. He is keeping us from stumbling, now, presently, each and every day.
He is also going to one day stand us in the presence of the Father, presenting us blameless. Blameless, without any fault or blemish. Our sins remembered no more. In perfection because of our Savior.
‘This well-known benediction contains a wealth of spiritual truth for the believer to receive. If we want to keep our feet on the ground spiritually, walk straight, and not stumble, then we must yield ourselves fully to the Savior. He alone is able to guard us, but we must keep ourselves safe in the love of God. He is able if we are willing.”
(from the Wiersbe Study Bible, page 1848)
Today Jesus will keep us from stumbling and one day,
He will present us before His Father blameless.
May we each hear these words spoken over us!
At nearly 70 years of age, Jan Saunders felt her word for the year was to be “Begin” and she is praying, Lord, come and do a new thing! A brave prayer for sure and you can read her post in full HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Reading your post makes me wish I could be (had been) more intentional about pronouncing blessing over my loved ones.
Yes, I so agree. Not only over my loved ones but over many a Bible Study group as well. This year I am re-reading books already on my shelves. The verse reminded me to read next “The Gift of Blessing” by Gary Smalley and John Trent.
We’ve been in a couple of churches that had benedictions at the end, and this is one of my favorite ones. I remember in a biography of Amy Carmichael, she had gotten hold of this verse in a church service and was marveling over it when someone at lunch complained about the mutton chops. She thought to herself, “Who cares about mutton chops. He’s able to keep us from falling!” Oh, the grace and wonder of it!
I LOVE that story! This verse hit me so powerfully this week when I read it. Your thoughts and comments always bless me. May He keep you, Barbara, from stumbling until the day you stand before Him!
Amen and amen! I needed this reminder–this word of truth today. Only God can keep me from stumbling, and only if I need my hands outstretched and open. I’m too apt to think I know it all or how best to do things. I don’t. If I act like a know-it-all, I’m priming myself for a tumble.
Only He can keep you from stumbling.
Only He can present you before the throne blameless.
And He will!
Oh, how I wish church services of years gone by would make an appearance. Haven’t heard a benediction and blessing in forever. Glory to God who is able to keep me from stumbling and present me faultless. Thank you for this reminder.
Yvonne, I am so surprised at how many of us remember benedictions, and long for them to be received once again. I’m praying these words over you now … “Now may He who able, keep you, Yvonne, from stumbling, and make you to one day stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy. Amen and Amen.”
Amen. The benediction is powerful. A promise within a promise. Yes.
May we receive His words.
Our former pastor did the same thing and I miss it. Jude 24-25 is a favorite of mine. And I speak it over YOU my friend today.
Much appreciated!
Joanne, such a beautiful reminder of God’s blessing upon each and every day, in each circumstance we face! I love this benediction for the comfort it brings of knowing he is able to keep me!
I so agree, Donna. It brings such peace to know that He will keep us, and such hope to know He will present us blameless before the throne.
Oh, I love the words of Jude and the promises that we are bidden to hold dear. I so needed to read that as “stumbling” has been piece of my vocabulary lately. Thank you, thank you. God is so good!
I could never have expected the response this topic has brought. Linda, may we receive and hold onto this promise from God’s Word. He alone will keep you from stumbling and present you blameless before the throne.
I so appreciate the benediction and blessing at the end of our services, Joanne. You summed it up well, “It was those words which breathed hope into the week ahead…somehow, it was the word we could hold onto until we came together again.” Our pastor speaks Numbers 6:24-26 over us.
Yes, another beautiful benediction!
One of our pastors offered a benediction at the closing of each service. It was such a sacred moment for me. I had not grown up with anything that felt so holy, even in church.
Lisa, thank you for wording it such – it did feel holy. Probably because we receive it as unique and personal to ourselves. In many ways, while the benediction is said corporately, it is meant to be received individually, just between God and ourselves.
I love the visual of pronouncing a blessing over others, especially loved ones. I am so thankful the Lord can””and does””keep me from stumbling. There’s comfort there.
What a beautiful benediction!
There’s so much encouragement in those final verses from Jude!
Our Church still does the Benediction Joanne.
Although it seems not to be included in the online recorded message.
Which is a shame in these strangest of times of the Pandemic when the need of great.
Thank you for sharing,
Bless you,
Jennifer
Joanne, this post took me back to my college days, when we would actually SING Jude 24-25 at the end of each Sunday morning service at the church I attended! I can hear the tune in my head even as I type this. 🙂 My current church does a benediction too … the pastors often say, “as we go from being the church gathered to being the church scattered …” and then share the scripture. It’s such a lovely way to start the week.
I love that you sang Jude as that would make it easier for me to memorize Scripture. And how precious are the words your pastors use to lead into the benediction! We truly do go from being gathered to scattered and may we bring the blessing with us as we go! So grateful you shared, Lois, as those parting words have blessed me this morning. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Always! xo
This is so good! And a reminder to pray blessing and benediction when gathered together…it is so powerful.