The Lord blessed us in His
House yesterday with His presence. We shared His blessings of joy. One of the
church families hosted a church wide cook out and picnic after the worship. It
was time of great fellowship and sharing. It had rained much of the night, but
the Lord blessed with a perfect weather of brilliant sun and friendly
clouds.
Laureen, along with some of
her friends, attended a worship gathering in Northern Virginia last evening.
Over 20,000 attended the worship event which was hosted by Kari Jobe, Jesus
Culture, Hillsing United, and Others. Our oldest daughter and her family spent
the week camping in Maine. The Lord blessed them with beautiful weather. Now
they are back in Boston. Sunita and Andy hosted a big church family picnic in
their back yard on Saturday. We are planning to go to Abington, Pa to spend
the week with our newest granddaughter (and her mommy and daddy) this week. We
are ever so grateful for all these blessings and gifts from the Lord. His Name
be ever praised and glorified.
Jude 24-25 is one of three
New Testament doxologies that praise God for being able. Romans 16:25 says,
“Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the
preaching of Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do
far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” Jude 24 says, “Now to Him
who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the
presence of His glory with great joy.” The emphasis is on divine
omnipotence—the inherent and infinite power of God. This declaration of praise teaches us that God is able to keep us
when we cannot keep ourselves.
Edward C. Pentecost wrote,
“Here is the greatest theme of victory to be sounded, the highest note of praise
and adoration possible, and the greatest assurance for the redeemed.” How
should you respond to the fact you cannot keep yourself? The doxology in Jude
24-25 teaches us to trust and praise the God who is able to keep you.
In Matthew 9:28, Jesus responded to a cry for help from two blind men by asking, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” This is the bottom-line. Do we really believe that our Lord is able? In fact, He is able to preserve us on earth and present us in heaven.
The first assurance of this doxology covers the entire Christian journey from earth to glory: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling.” The KJV says, “Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling.” The original is more emphatic. Stumbling precedes falling. God is able to keep us from falling on our face. Moreover, God is able to keep us on our feet. The world is a slippery place. The devil constantly schemes to trip us, our sinful flesh is prone to trip, stumble and fall; but our Lord is able to keep us from stumbling.
Psalm 121:3 says, “He will not let your foot be moved.” Our Lord can keep us from falling into the error of sin and falling away from the faith. God is worthy before time. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Before the beginning, in the eternity behind us, God was worthy to be praised, and God is worthy now. This speaks in real time. Verse 24 begins, “Now to Him who is able.” Verse 25 ends, “to the only God…be glory…now.” The now of our present struggles do not not cancel out the now of His divine omnipotence. We should praise Him now because He is able now, and God will be worthy forever. There is only one thing left to be said: Amen.
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on and let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, and lead me home
When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand, guide my feet hold my hand
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
(from “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” by Thomas A. Dorsey)
In Christ,
Pastor Brown
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