When we are surrounded by people who love us, we enjoy a fellowship of peace, security, joy, and love that makes us feel as though we could accomplish just about anything. There is no sadness, worry, or fear, and our world is in perfect balance and harmony.
Just imagine how much greater this feeling is when we are immersed in the very essence of God Himself, namely in the loving fellowship of the Spirit. That is precisely what is offered to us in the benediction that concludes every divine service, namely in the words: “The […] communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13: 14).
It is of note that this statement does not describe what is, but rather, what could be. Another way of putting it would be to say, “May the […] communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all”. Why is that? This is because God never imposes Himself on anyone. He only offers His presence to us.
After all, we can also leave His fellowship. In an otherwise joyful hymn of ours, there is a starkly different verse that says: “Darkness soon will gather round us, if we turn away from Him.” This is not intended as a threat! It merely states a fact. In 2 Chronicles 15: 2 we read: “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.”
The next time we hear the words of the closing benediction, let us remember to seek the Lord’s nearness even in daily life so that He may, in turn, draw near to us and envelop us in His perfect peace, security, joy, and love.