I have a friend and law partner who is a very smart guy. His academic pedigree is impressive enough, but his insightful brilliance and careful attention to detail have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a top-shelf transactional lawyer. When discussing a deal, or even some deep, spiritual topic, he has a practice of giving a one word reply to comments or insights with which he agrees. “Indeed,” he says. The way he uses it, that one word communicates a lot and can’t really be misunderstood. It also tends to “tie a bow” in a point of discussion so that we can move onto another issue or topic.

Without Any Question

The Learners Dictionary tells us that the adverb “indeed” means primarily “without any question—used to stress the truth of a statement,” [1] and that is exactly how my friend uses it. Because he recognizes what is said as true, there is no question about it and no need to discuss it further.
There are a few instances in the Bible where “indeed” is used that same way, and they are pretty special when you think about them.  In fact, they address fundamental longings with which we all can probably relate.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. …So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-36)

A thousand years before that, the psalmist David, upon recounting God’s deliverance from his enemies and expressing his confidence that God would protect him still, proclaimed

“Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15 NLT).

And then, in the last book of the Bible, John the Revelator wrote:

“I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13)

A Winning Trifecta

So there you have it: free indeed, joyful indeed and blessed indeed. If you ask me, that’s a pretty amazing trifecta, being free, joyful and blessed—and without any question! May we all experience the reality of that in our journeys today. Indeed.

[1] http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/indeed (accessed 2.28.17)