Believers Perfected in Every Good Work for God’s Will

Hebrews 13:20-21, Amplified Bible

God does not operate haphazardly or by chance to accomplish anything. He is a God of will and purpose; He does everything in decency and in order. He has a plan for every believer to glorify Him according to His will. In verses 18-19 the writer asked for continued prayers of these Hebrew believers. Prayer is a very powerful tool believers have to communicate with God. Our leaders do need the support of the righteous through our persistent, effectual prayers. These prayers can accomplish much. He goes on in verses 20-21 to give the benediction, a short prayer typically given at the end our worship service. He asks God’s blessings for the Hebrew believers.

He begins by acknowledging our heavenly Father as the God of peace, from whom our serenity and spiritual well-being comes. Without a relationship with the living God through faith in Christ Jesus, we cannot have peace. “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). He continues to pray that God resurrected our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep from the dead. It is through his blood that the Father sealed and confirmed the eternal covenant (v.20). His prayer assures us that we live because Jesus, the great Shepherd lives. We agree to obey God and in return He will grant us the blessings of eternal life.

 He prays that the God of peace will “equip the believers with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you, making you complete and perfect as you ought to be” (v.21a). Believers are perfected in every good work for God’s will. He prays God will “accomplish in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (v.21b). Today will you allow God to make you perfect and mature in every good work for His will through your obedience to Him and His Word?