Some Fridays, I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is: Benediction.
Benediction, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “the invocation of a blessing; the short blessing with which public worship is concluded.”
But the definition adds more depth of meaning with these words: “something that promotes goodness or well-being.”
It is this definition which grabbed my attention. The closing of a church service is special to me. It is usually a verse which is read over the congregation, yet personal to me.
The words are read over all who are present, sending us out into our everyday lives with those last spoken words. Their significance should not be lost on us.
The word prompt brought to mind the words of a most familiar tune:
“Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”
(from the bugle call Taps, lyrics credited to
Horace Lorenzo Trim)
Let me share two Scriptures which always remind me of the protection of God over us, yes, even while we sleep. May they fall as a benediction over us all during the night.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8, NASB)
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24, NASB)
Image by Stefano Ferrario from Pixabay
Today I am joining Five Minute Friday .
yes, love this. Our church services also end with a benediction verse and reminder of truth.
Tears come to my eyes every time I hear someone play Taps (especially in a cemetery).
FMF13
i never really thought so much of the benediction being a word of God’s protection over us. thanks for the reminder. visiting from FMF13
I had forgotten about the words to Taps.
Reading them now, that is a beautiful little benediction to end the day with. I wonder if the person who wrote the words and composed the tune had that in mind when they did. Guess I need to Google the history of Taps.
I love how you tied the words to Taps to the benediction and a blessing of protection and God’s nearness. I think we forget that we need the promise of God’s watchful care over us each day, not just at the close of Sunday service. Visiting from FMF#2