Creator, Father, King #250

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL subject?

Math? Science? English? Civics? Grammar? Music? Art? A foreign language such as Spanish or French? (Sorry . . . lunch and summer break are not options!)

What about history? Does it ever feel irrelevant to you, like nothing more than archaic facts to be memorized for a test? Or does history feel vibrant and exciting to you, illuminating timeless guideposts for us from the past?

The Bible is God’s revelation of salvation’s history, and Jesus’ resurrection is the climax. Hebrews 13:20-21 provides a perfect example of how the empty tomb is both ancient history and perfectly relevant to you today:

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

What’s It Mean?

We’ve talked a great deal about the glorious spiritual realities that Jesus’ resurrection provides for every believer—and rightfully so! As we discussed in the September 5 devotion, it affects our regeneration, justification, sanctification, eternal security, and so much more. Lots of big words!

But the Resurrection, although it happened two thousand years ago, isn’t an event confined to dusty history books or stodgy theology volumes. It affects our daily lives as Christians! Look again at today’s Scripture passage.

The same God who raised Jesus wants to “equip you with all you need for doing his will.” He wants to “produce in you, through the [same] power . . . [that raised] Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:21).

This is amazing news! If you are a believer, the same sovereign authority and might that defeated sin, Satan, and death is now equipping you to obey God’s will (Ephesians 1:19-20). It’s not an overnight process. But it’s beautiful, amazing, and life changing.

You are not walking the Christian life alone. God is walking beside you, strengthening you with resurrection power along the way—all for the glory of his name.

Now that’s one for the history books!

Now What?

Are you unsure about the specifics of “doing his will”? Don’t fret! Faithfully read Scripture and pray. God will equip and lead you by his power.

Did You Know?

Today’s Scripture passage is a benediction, or a prayer of blessing. Many New Testament Epistles feature them.