Benediction – A Poem
At the end of every service, our pastor gives the benediction. I never thought about what this word meant before, but when I used an online translator and tried to translate the word “blessing” into French, the resulting translation was “bènèdiction.” So I decided that would be a good word for today’s Thankful Thursday acrostic poem.
Benediction
Blessings are offered to you and to me
Ending each service with peace
Needs will be met by our Lord in answer
Everyone’s worry will decrease
Divine intervention exclaimed
Interlude
Christ’s favor proclaimed from the pulpit
Traditional blessing bestowed
Immanuel sent to guide us
On our journey along life’s road
No longer must we be ashamed
One of the most commonly heard benedictions, at least in the Lutheran churches I’ve attended, is based on a passage from Numbers. It’s a beautiful blessing that does always give me a measure of peace as I leave the worship service and prepare for the week ahead. Just as God promised to bless the Israelites when Aaron blessed them, I believe God will bless His people when the pastor blesses us.
The Priestly Blessing
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT).
But I don’t believe that the ability to offer a blessing or benediction is limited to official pastors. We are the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9-10), and so I offer a blessing to you, my readers: May the God of grace and mercy fill you with His Holy Spirit as you meet each day steadfast in the knowledge of Christ as your Savior.
Share this:
Thank you for the blessings you have just offered!
One of my sons is Benedict, a blessing too!
🙂
That’s a cool name! And kids are such a blessing, aren’t they? Peace, Linda
Linda, I am so blessed and thankful for you and your thankful Thursday posts. 🙂 Thursdays are kind of harder days for Aub and I. To come home and find this waiting for me? I feel smiled upon. 🙂 God bless you and shine His face upon you too! love, deb
p.s. Ann, full of grace, was here!!! I can tell . . .she left her grace prints with a song. Thank you Ann!
Deb, God is so great! I’ll bet He knew all along when He prompted Ann to suggest Thankful Thursday as a theme here that you would be blessed by all the thankfullness and blessings on a day when you most need it! And that you being blessed would make me smile 🙂 🙂 🙂 . See, lots of smiles. Peace, Linda
Talk about Him knowing what we need before we ask 😉
Bless you, Linda, for being obedient to His direction. Thursdays have a different meaning now 🙂
Deb, you’re so sweet 🙂 Blessings to you and yours a hundredfold!
Jim Reeves is one of my favourites from ‘back in the day’. Glad you enjoyed. Here’s the nice line back at ya “May you walk with sun light shining and a bluebird in every tree.” 🙂
Blessed to be a blessing,
ann
AMEN!! Loved this post!!!!!
🙂 Amen, indeed!
Hi Linda,
I did it! 🙂 I finally figured out how to post a video in there :d
Thank you for this beautiful post. A blessing returned to you! “May the God of grace and mercy fill you with His Holy Spirit as you meet each day steadfast in the knowledge of Christ as your Savior.”
Blessings 🙂
ann
Ann, You do realize you are partly responsible for these Thankful Thursday poems because the theme was your idea! Isn’t it wonderful how God uses us to bless others (as you did in giving me this idea) and it turns around to be a blessing right back at us. I’ll go check out the video now. 🙂 Peace, Linda
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9KLA4qz3A&w=480&h=390]
Ann, That was wonderful! Thank you for sharing it. My favorite part was “May you walk with sun light shining and a bluebird in every tree.” 🙂 Peace, Linda