Jude 24-25, CEB - Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
The ending to Jude’s short letter
is a passage that has been used countless times over the centuries as a
benediction. It is an absolutely
gorgeous expression of praise to God and proclamation of divine provision for
those who trust in God. It has inspired
many over the years and it continues to inspire me.
One of
the powerful proclamations Jude makes here is the assurance that God is able to
“keep you from falling away.” I am drawn
to that because I am all too familiar with my propensity to fall away. It’s never on purpose, but the old hymn
describes me well; “prone to wander, Lord
I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.”
Most of the time, I’ve wandered quite far before I even realize it. Maybe I’m not the only one who is like that.
Good
news . . . God knows I’m like that. Even
more than that, God is often the one who prompts me to come back and paves the
way for me to do so. Sometimes it is a “still
small voice.” Sometimes it is an
unnerving jolt. It is not always pleasant,
but like a parent who is willing to be unpleasant in order to protect the child
and bring them back into the fold, God is able and willing to do the same. Obviously, there has to be a willingness on
my part to be brought back. But it is
good to know that God is able and willing to do it when I am agreeable.
There’s
more good news. Not only is God willing
to bring me back when I stray, God is willing to treat me as if I’d never
strayed in the first placed. This is God’s
justifying grace, the grace that treats me “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned. No wonder Jude describes us coming back into
God’s fold with ”great joy!”
All
this is because of Jesus Christ. And
because of that, All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all
time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen!
Question: Instead of
a question today, simply recite Jude’s benediction to yourself slowly a couple
of times as a way to allow God to bring you into the divine presence.
Prayer: Lord, you are
awesome. I praise You for your forgiving
and gracious character. I thank you for
bringing me back so many times when I’ve strayed. “Here’s my heart. Take and seal it Seal it
for Thy courts above.” All the glory,
power, and authority are Yours. Amen and
Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for flood victims today who have lost everything.
Song: Come Thou Fount
of Every Blessing - Chris Rice
No comments:
Post a Comment