Thursday, February 6, 2020

He Will Keep Us From Stumbling

Jude 24-25

Now that Jude has described all the evil ones, angelic and human, who are trying to destroy God's church, he signs off with a wonderful promise. 

(24) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 

Our Lord God is able to keep us from stumbling over all these seductions. He has washed us pristine clean, white as snow, completely blameless. And His presence in us by His Spirit will strengthen us and keep our feet from tripping over all the enemy's traps. And after it all, we will still be standing in joyous victory with Him.  

(25) to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. 

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit all work together in perfect unity and harmony as our one God. We see this in both creation and redemption. God the Father gave the Lordship over creation to the Son, and He works in the power of the Spirit. 

So all the credit, the glory goes to Him, all the royal majesty belongs to Him. His dominion is the territory of the whole universe, all of creation, over which His rulership holds sway. And His authority is His right and power to rule it all sovereignly. He is God, there is no other. 

O my Father, You truly are great! You do everything You want to do, and You accomplish everything You plan. You have made all of this creation for Your pleasure, and You are working out all of Your purposes in it and in us. 

Father, You made this Earth to be a paradise for us to build our world upon it, and You granted us the choice to love You back. O Father, we've really made a mess of it, haven't we! But it's not beyond Your ability to redeem, and You sent Your Son to take care of that. And He sent the Spirit to strengthen and encourage us to do our part, the job You gave us to do until He returns. 

O Father, help us to recognize the evil people who are doing the enemy's bidding in trying to destroy Your church, the body of Christ, His bride. Keep us in Your hand, protect us in the attacks of the minions of the devil, allow us to show them Your love in our gentle and compassionate responses to their vitriol. 

Father, show us how to keep Your congregations true to Your Truth, and give us the strength and boldness to leave when we find that they refuse to honor You. 

Grow Your family, Father; help us to mature spiritually, and to increase numerically, until Your house is full, and every place at Your great banquet table is occupied. I am eager for the return of Your Son, and to enjoy sweet fellowship with one another and with You forevermore.

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!