“The God of Peace”

Hebrews 13:20-25

 

Some time ago, a friend whose husband was diagnosed with a terminal disease, a form of cancer the doctors expected to be a prolonged death, asked me with tears in her eyes, “Bro. Don, how do I prepare for what I am going to have to face?” I paused for a moment and said, “There is no way you can prepare yourself; but our heavenly Father, the God of peace, will prepare you.”

As Paul closes the book of Hebrews, he directs our hearts to the God of peace. What could be more fitting? We have no idea what trials, temptations, and troubles we may yet have to face before our time on this earth is done. We do not know how Satan may assail us. We do not know what heaviness and heartache lie before us in this world. We do not know what work the Lord has for us to do by which we are to glorify him. But I do know what we need. I do know what it will take for you and me to persevere unto the end. We need “the God of peace.”

 

The God of Peace

 

The Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people…Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you” (1 Sam. 12:22-24). The God of peace is he who bids you cast all your care upon him, assuring you that he cares for you.

Try to get the sweet milk that is here set before us. Our heavenly Father, the God of glory, is here called “the God of peace” because his thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace (Jer. 29:11). He has made for you a covenant of peace (Num. 25:12-13; Ezek. 34:25; 37:26). The Lord God has laid on his Son the chastisement of our peace and thereby made peace for us (Isa. 53:5; Col. 1:18-21). His gospel is the gospel of peace, the good news of peace accomplished (Isa. 40:1-2). Our heavenly Father has given us his Spirit, who dwells in us as the Spirit of Peace. He assures us that he will keep us in peace in this world and will bring us into a world of peace at last.

The Resurrection of Christ

 

Here is the basis of and assurance of that peace revealed and proclaimed in the gospel. Our heavenly Father, the God of peace, has raised Christ from the dead. He “brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”

 

Assured Grace

 

After giving us those words of assurance, Paul tells these saints what he desired for them. — “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (v. 21). Let us remember that, though this is Paul’s prayer for these believers, people he knew and loved, it is more than that. This is what he was inspired of God to write. With these words, the Holy Spirit assures every believer that the God of peace, who brought Christ forth from the dead, shall complete his work in us and for us. He who has a good work in you will make you everything you ought to be and want to be (Phil. 1:6). He will work in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight (Eph. 5:25-27; Jude 24-25). He will do it through Christ Jesus your Mediator and Savior, and do it in such a way that Christ shall have glory forever and ever. Then, he says, “Amen,” so shall it be.

 

The Word of Exhortation

 

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words” (v. 22). — We are sometimes hesitant to believe and to obey the Word of God. So Paul here urges us to receive and heed the word of exhortation he has given us in this epistle and persevere in faith.

 

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you” (vv. 23-24). — It appears that Timothy had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel and was now at liberty again. Paul hoped to visit these friends, his beloved brethren, his truest family, again soon, and says so, sending greetings to the people and their pastors, conveying with his own the greetings of the saints in Italy.

 

Grace be With You

 

Here is the source from which all that I want for you must come. — “Grace be with you all” (v. 25). This was Paul’s usual salutation (2 Thess. 3:17-18) expressing his desire that God’s elect might enjoy renewed discoveries of his mercy, love, and favor, and fresh manifestations of grace in Christ. GRACE — That is what we need! That is what we must have: covenant grace, saving grace, sustaining grace, forgiving grace, reviving grace, daily grace, sufficient grace, everlasting grace, and nothing but grace! This grace, as one older writer put it, “is a stream of living water flowing through the desert, a power which enables us to withstand every adversity and to reach the promised land, the place of our rest, the heavenly Jerusalem.” This grace is for all and assured to all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen