CONCLUDING WORDS
Jude 24-25 NKJ
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
As we wrap up 2024, I am ending with the concluding words of Jude. Jude's letter was a warning to believers regarding false teachers who had crept into the church. His message was to contend for the faith, avoid these false teachers, and a stern warning about the judgement coming on these mocking, worldly, ungodly men. The message of Jude is important, but I doubt that many believers list his letter as their favorite New Testament book.
Jude concludes his letter with a benediction that glorifies God. And it's a great reminder as we wrap up the year. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling..." It is always good to remember we are not living this life on our own. We are focused on the One who created us, saved us, and is able to keep us. The closer we walk in fellowship and connection to the Lord, the less we stumble and fall. God never causes us to stumble. Rather, He keeps us from stumbling. Stumbling is also translated as falling or falling away. As we look to and honor the Lord in our lives, we will not fall away. And He is there to help us.
"And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." The Weymouth translation helps me with this verse: "But to Him who is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and cause you to stand in the presence of His glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy--" God is able to cause us to stand in His presence without blame and full of joy. I am not sure how He does that, but God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think. So we can rejoice in Him and His goodness to us.
And I am going back to the Weymouth translation for verse 25, "To the only God our Saviour--through Jesus Christ our Lord, be ascribed glory, majesty, might, and authority, as it was before all time, is now, and shall be to all the Ages! Amen." I love this! God is our Savior through what He did for us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. And to God, and the Lord Jesus, be given all glory, majesty, might and authority. Before time began. Now, in the present time. And forever and ever throughout the ages. So be it! Amen!
APPLICATION
It's always good to get the new year off to a right start with God. And it's proper to end the year the right way. We may or may not have had a good 2024. Usually, it's a mix. But it's always right to give honor and glory to God. We are alive. We still have an opportunity to live for Him and bless others. We are part of His eternal kingdom that will never end or fade away. And a thousand years from now, 2024 will be a distant memory.
Let's end the year giving glory to our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus.
PRAYER
Thank You for another year, Lord! Thank You that I have You to look to in 2025. Thank You for keeping me and enabling me to live for You.
I am looking forward to what You have for me in 2025, and I am grateful for all of the blessings and mercy You have shown me in 2024! All glory and might and honor and majesty to You now and forever more! Amen!