How full and appropriate is this lovely closing prayer of the Epistle to the Hebrews! For these troubled Hebrew believers, there was a God of peace. He had laid the firm foundation of peace in raising from among the dead this One whose heart was that of a faithful Shepherd, who is great also in the power of resurrection life. His resurrection was consistent with the preciousness of His death, and the value of the blood of the everlasting covenant was such that resurrection was the righteous result.

Here is eternal value, in contrast to all that was temporal in Judaism: the covenant is everlasting because the value of the blood is everlasting, and the blessed Shepherd lives in the power of an endless life. Wonderful fullness and perfection of blessing for His sheep! With such a provision, should not our hearts respond with real desire to be made perfect or complete in every good work to do His will?

The working out of this must be on the part of God. Our resources are all in Him, through Jesus Christ, and practical results in our lives must be the result of submission to the work of His hand. Then we shall see no credit for ourselves, but heartily ascribe to Him glory forever and ever: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).