Grace Be With You: Benedictions from Dale Ralph Davis

by Dale Ralph Davis

Benedictions – spoken blessings at the end of church services and gatherings – can be nuggets of gospel gold to cherish to as we part from each other for another week. Here Derek W. H. Thomas has selected benedictions spoken by his colleague and friend, Dale Ralph Davis, to encourage and inspire the reader. Best known for his Old Testament expositions, Davis knows the value of remembering and clinging to God’s promises.   Dale Ralph Davis retired from his post as Minister in Residence at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina in Spring 2018, and was presented with this book to mark the occasion. Before coming to First Presbyterian Church he and his wife Barbara lived in Mississippi, Ralph having previously been pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, as well as writing a number of popular books.   ‘Benedictions are gospel words. They remind us at the end of the service that we receive the blessings of God’s covenant because Christ received its curses. After every service of worship, we conclude with a reminder that, as Christians, we live under the shade of the Almighty, taking refuge beneath His wings because, wonder of wonders, we are free from the condemnation of sin.’ – Derek W. H. Thomas   ‘But as the final hymn comes to an end, there is one last word of gospel grace as he pronounces the benediction Ralph Davis is as much preaching God’s word to you now as he was in the sermon. He is not only praying for you; he is announcing to you all that is yours by faith in Christ. What a way to end the Lord’s Day and to begin the week.’  – Sinclair B. Ferguson

80 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2019

About the author

Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Nick Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

58 Benedictions; encouraging to read one per week. Helpful resource that offers confidence going through life with divine blessing.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #53 in 2022
4 stars

This little book contains 58 of the benedictions uttered by Rev Ralph Davis (one of my much beloved seminary professors) during his time at First Presbyterian in Columbia, SC.

Compiled and published as a gift to him upon his retirement from formal ministry, and with a forward from Rev Derek Thomas and an afterward by Rev Sinclair Ferguson, this little book is a literally a blessing no doubt to him and his church and also to me.

[Neh · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 58 benedictions are wonderful--fills you with wonder. When you put it down, you will realize that you can't have any less than 58. The more the better. I wish I had written down all that I had heard in person.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good benedictions. Just odd that with only a few benedictions, they included some that were almost identical to others. That said, it made me want to write my own, and I'll certainly be looking at this again in the future!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful.

[Michael Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging!