Hebrews 13:17-25: a reflection

17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner. 20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. 24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. 25Grace be with you all. Amen.

As the letter to the Hebrews draws to its close, the writer prays a rich benediction over his readers: 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 you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. Notice the heart of the prayer: that God himself would equip them for his will, and work in them what pleases him. The God who calls us to do his will also equips and works in us to do it.

Notice the double action in the prayer: God equips us with everything good to do his will, and God works in us what is pleasing to him. We are not left to do God's will in our own strength, scraping together the resources ourselves. The God of peace, who raised the great Shepherd, himself equips us for what he calls us to, and works within us to produce what pleases him. The obedience God asks, he also enables.

That is a great encouragement for anyone daunted by the call to do God's will. We can feel inadequate, ill-equipped, unable to do what God asks. But this prayer reminds us that God does not merely command; he equips and works in us. He supplies what we lack, enables what we cannot do on our own, and works within us to produce the very obedience he desires. When you feel unequal to what God asks of you, remember that the God who calls you also equips you. Do not try to do his will in your own strength alone. Rely on the God of peace, who equips you with everything good and works in you what pleases him. He does not leave you to obey on your own; he enables the obedience he asks.

Lord, the God of peace, who raised the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, the writer of Hebrews prayed that you would equip your people with everything good to do your will, working in them what is pleasing in your sight. Thank you that you do not merely command, but equip and enable. When I feel inadequate, ill-equipped, unable to do what you ask, remind me that you supply what I lack and work within me to produce the obedience you desire. Keep me from trying to do your will in my own strength alone. Help me rely on you, who equip me with everything good and work in me what pleases you. You do not leave me to obey on my own; you enable the obedience you ask. Equip me, work in me, and let my life be pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ.