Grace be with you all (Hebrews 13:25NIV).‍

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Grace be with you all!

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This week ends our summer study of the book of Hebrews, and while there are a lot of great things in Hebrews 13, the verse that jumped out to me was the last verse of Hebrews, where the author says, “Grace be with you all.”

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We see phrases like it across the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 books in the New Testament, and he wished grace upon his readers at the beginning and ending of each book. Often, he wishes grace with something else like peace, mercy, or love, but each one of his greetings or closings included grace. Maybe that’s just a polite way of greeting and ending a letter, like when we say Dear or Sincerely. Maybe it’s like saying God bless you.

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But I think it’s more.

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As the author of Hebrews finished the book, with all the insightful things he wrote about, he wished grace upon his readers. The author wanted to remind the readers that God’s grace is with each one of them, not just the powerful, not just the rich, not just the adults, not just the men, not just the healthy, not just the joyful, not just the married, not just the …. well, you get the picture. God’s grace reaches to everyone.

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Historically, the Christan church has looked at five different types of God’s grace. There’s saving grace (God’s power to forgive sins, like in Ephesians 2:8-9), sanctifying grace (God’s power to purify and help people to live holy, righteous lives), strengthening grace (God’s power to provide strength and faith during weakness), sharing grace (God’s power to inspire giving), and serving grace (God’s power to encourage people to help others). One of the most spectacular aspects of grace is that we can’t do anything to earn it. Grace is God’s free gift. It flows from God’s goodness and power and wisdom.

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In II Corinthians 12, Paul writes that he struggled with some thorn in his flesh. Maybe it was a physical ailment, maybe it was a temptation or sin, maybe it was something else. When he asked God to remove it three times, he was told that God’s grace was sufficient for Paul, and that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). Then, he follows with a profound statement – that Paul delights in weakness, hardship, and in difficulties. Why?  Because when he is weak, then he is strong (II Corinthians 12:10). He saw God’s grace in the good times and the bad times, when he was weak and when he was strong.

God’s grace is for each of us.  Do you feel it today?

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We’ve each experienced God’s grace in the past – there may be hard times in the past like Paul experienced, but I bet you can remember plenty of times that God has blessed you as well. Take some time to think about God’s grace and blessings that He has given you in the past.  

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How about today? God’s grace is with you today. Is it sufficient for you today?  Can you rest in the comfort that He is in control, that He loves you, and wants what is best for you? Take some time to think about God’s grace and blessings that He has given you today.

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Take some time to thank God for His future grace. What does He have in store for you tomorrow?

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Grace be with you all!