GOD, THE SUPPORT OF THE SAVED (DECEMBER 13)

"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, 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" (Jude 24,25).

JUDE’S CHRISTIAN FRIENDS NEEDED TO BE ASSURED OF GOD’S HELP. They faced difficulties that would test their allegiance to Christ, ordeals that might overwhelm them if they didn’t have the faithful support of their Heavenly Father. So Jude ended his letter of warning to his brethren with this ascription of praise to God: “[He] is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.”

On the night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, He predicted that Peter would deny Him and forsake Him. But Jesus also assured Peter that he would come back from his failure, stronger for having fallen and gotten back on his feet. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31,32).

A part of the help God gives us in Christ is that we have our fellow Christians’ help in times of temptation and failure. Paul wrote, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1,2). And “we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). In Christ, we are never alone in our struggles.

We can be grateful that God restricts Satan’s power. “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Having obeyed the gospel, our glorious hope is an eternal rest, one where all our stumblings will be behind us. Until then, we have the promise of God’s steadfast love and constant support.

"O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at last" (John Henry Newman).