The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Godspeed to my dear friend and brother, Bryan W., upon this first day of the next phase of a life well lived.)
"Godspeed"
I love the term "Godspeed", found in only one passage of Scripture.
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed, For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds" (II John 1:9-11).
Although used in a negative connotation by the Apostle John as a warning to not encourage or participate in the doing of evil, Godspeed means to go joyfully, obviously with God. It suggests a blessing, the affirmation of hope that fellow believers will venture forth with the Lord in His joy.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:2-3).
The Lord Jesus Christ supplies the water of the wells of salvation, ever making possible our "Godspeed." As He said to the woman at the well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water" (John 4:10). Bidding Godspeed therefore means that we desire the recipient of our good will to journey forward in the remembrance of the Lord's presence along the way, partaking of His sustenance by asking Him for grace, and joyfully finding He provides what He promises. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
What better invocation could we wish for another? To go with God is to go with life, the only genuine vitality of spirit, heart, strength, wisdom, and provision that exists. All along the way, the beneficiaries of "Godspeed" may "draw water out of the wells of salvation," thereby maintaining our hearts with the "living water" of the Lord Jesus. "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Certainly, no more effectual and prayerful good wishes can we bestow upon those who journey with us in this life of challenge, and this life of finding the Water of life as abundantly sufficient in all things.
One benediction of Scripture may perhaps most define the heart and spirit of Godspeed, written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. We close with Paul's beautiful bestowal of grace, and with our own wish for all who read this. Godspeed…
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen."
(II Corinthians 13:14)
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
(John 4:14)
Weekly Memory Verse
Before honor is humility.
(Proverbs 15:33)
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