The pronouncement of divine grace upon the people of God is clearly deeply encouraging for saints of the New Testament dispensation. We commonly hear words as these as the closing part of the weekly worship service. This pronouncement of grace is not a prayer (so that we bow our heads and close our eyes) but is God’s declaration of present reality in the face of such storms and afflictions as characterize daily life in this dispensation. So this declaration is also the climax of the worship service as it catches in one sentence the delightful implication of the glorious gospel of redemption: God’s grace is really yours!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.