The God Who Equips

This post about The God Who Equips reminds us that God gives us the ability to do His will and is the first in our series on Benedictions. Our benevolent Father will not ask anything of us that He will not help us do.

My toddler grandson “climbed” a tree yesterday. He ran to the large elm in my yard and mimicked a climbing motion. Standing on tippy toes, he lifted one hand over the other with a look of concentration on his brow. His chubby little hands barely touched the rough bark and his feet never even left the ground. In a quiet, slow and serious voice he said, “Climb like Gecko.” (That’s his favorite character from a cartoon he likes.)

Then he said, excitedly, “I doin’ it! I doin’ it!”

Watching him pretend to climb that big tree melted this Grammie’s heart!

He likes to climb. Occasionally I’ll help him up the low crepe myrtle and show him just where to put his feet and hands. I’ll give him a boost when he needs it and keep my hands over his to strengthen his grip. I’m right there to catch him if he falls. Without help? He can’t climb a tree.

But with my help, he can climb. If I support his weight and give him strength, guidance, and wisdom, he’s able. He climbs because I’m able.

In the introduction to this series, Jennifer told us that benedictions “voice agreement with the blessings God has in store for us, and they are a rich resource for praying for people.”

What are Blessings?

In the New Testament, “blessings” refer to favor that God grants His children. In fact, the Greek word makarios (used 50 times in the New Testament and sprinkled throughout the Beatitudes) means “become long, large” and refers to God extending Himself to us. When God extends Himself to His children, favor is demonstrated.

To be blessed or to give blessings means that one encounters God’s favor and experiences the person of God Himself.

I love the words in these two benedictions that speak blessing over God’s people:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

What beautiful words of encouragement! What great truths to remember! These very same benedictions offered by Paul in 2 Thessalonians and by the unknown author of Hebrews can edify us today.

God extends Himself to His children in order to equip us and make us strong. Oh, how truly, how blessed are we who hears these words and believes them!

Just Who is This God?

Who do the authors of these benedictions call on to bless the reader?

That’s an easy question to answer! God.

And when we look intently into those verses we see these truths about Him. Our God is:

The God of peace.
Powerful.
Our Shepherd.
A covenant keeper.
The God who equips.
The giver of good gifts.
The worker of hearts.
Deserving of eternal glory.
Loving toward His children.
The comforter.
A hope and grace giver.
The establisher of hearts.

What a list! Read over that a few times and I can guarantee you’ll feel blessed as you learn of the grace and love He extends to you.

A Tad More About the God of Peace

Eiréné is the Greek word translated “peace” in Hebrews 13:20. It’s the equivalent of the Hebrew, Old Testament word Shalom.

As the God of peace, our God is intrinsically peaceful. He also grants His children peace and desires for us to be peaceful with one another.

Our peace-filled hearts are a witness of God’s work and love in and among the Church!

I think that in part, His peace better helps us to shine His light and share His love. His peace enables us to act on that peace in a world that certainly isn’t peaceful.

When I am at peace with God, I’m equipped to be at peace with others.

More About the God Who Equips

My little grandson wanted to climb my elm tree so badly. He was convinced that he could do it on his own, even though I know he doesn’t have the ability.

Both of the benedictions above brought my sweet, climbing boy to mind.

Those words written so long ago are a fresh reminder that God equips us– here and now.

As God’s little girl, but on my own, I don’t have the ability to do lots of things. He calls me to do many beautiful and wonderful things (like loving my neighbor and bearing fruit for His glory) and my heart longs to obey! Yet, without His help, I’d just be going through the motions, like my toddler grandbaby, thinking, “I’m doing it!”

Until God supports me and directs me– until He equips me — I can’t do His will. On the other hand, with God’s help “through Jesus,” I am able. (Hebrews 13:21) I don’t need to struggle and strive to do His will on my own apart from Jesus. (I’d never succeed anyway!)

Equipped for What?

Sisters, God gives us the ability to do His will. The passages above point out that it’s literally through His ability that we are equipped for good works that please Him at all. That’s why the book of Revelation shows worshippers taking off their crowns and laying them at His feet. Everything we’ve been given is His anyway. (Revelation 4:10) And that’s why the increase of the talents given to the men in Matthew 25:14-30 was returned to their master. The talents were the master’s in the first place.

Any good we can do is by His ability.

It’s through Jesus in our hearts (the Holy Spirit) and by walking in that Spirit, that we do His will and yield the results of a Spirit-led life displaying the fruit of the Spirit.

He equips us. It’s a fact. And because of that, we can be Christlike.

Our benevolent Father will not ask anything of us that He will not help us do.

Let’s voice agreement with God and pray these beautiful words over our loved ones.

Blessings,

Ali

How do these benedictions bless you? Who can you say them to and pass that blessing on?