Glory and Rest
All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Jude 1:24-25
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After an extensive defense of the faith and a discussion of the doom awaiting those who reject God’s way, Jude’s benediction is hopeful and refreshing. It encourages us that although we live in a sinful world, God is able to keep us from falling. For it is his power that saves us, keeps us from stumbling, and will one day present us before his throne completely blameless and innocent of sin. It would be enough for us to be brought safely home to heaven, but Jude says that it will also be “with great joy.” This thought can bring us into the rest that comes from believing God is completely adequate to accomplish this feat and we can totally depend on his power and strength. How wonderful to know that it doesn’t depend on me to save myself, work hard, and make myself ready to enter God’s glorious presence on that great day. My part is to believe and rest in the One who is my salvation, to yield to his refining and purifying work in my heart and life, and to give him honor and glory now and forevermore.
Prayers:
THANK YOU for the great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Glory to you, God, the One who is able to keep me from stumbling and bring me into your glorious presence blameless and with great joy! Help me to depend on your keeping power and strength as you work within me to please you. All glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to you from the beginning, now, and forever!
Quotes:
How shall we rest in God? By giving ourselves wholly to him. If you give yourself by halves, you cannot find full rest; there will ever be a lurking disquiet in that half that is withheld.
Jean Nicolas Grou (1731–1803)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Hosea 10:1–14:9; Jude 1-25; Psalm 127:1-5 and Proverbs 29:15-17.
