He Can And He Will
In my last article, I wrote about living for the day – choosing to not worry about tomorrow but to trust Jesus one day at a time.
When I wrote it and sent it to the paper, little did I know what my family would encounter the next week.
I have said in the past that the articles I write are things that God is trying to encourage me and/or teach me first – then I share it with you. And of course, I would never write something for you to read that I do not believe or try to put into practice. However, in all honesty and transparency, the last several weeks, even months have felt like my faith is being evaluated to the core. It has been a “rubber meet the road” journey. I have faced questions such as, “Do I really believe the Bible as God’s infallible Word? And do I choose to place my faith and trust in Jesus – no matter the circumstances?”
My husband has been preaching a series of messages from Jude 1. Today, as he was finishing this series, he read verse 24 in its entirety; but I stopped at the first part of that verse which says, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” Jude 1:24a I listened to the rest of his sermon but I must admit that at that moment I knew in my heart that this was the passage to share this week.
Jude closed this chapter with an encouraging word for believers even though it appeared that some were leaving the faith. Jude wanted to speak hope and life to those that were still professing their salvation in Jesus, to not lose heart but keep trusting and believing.
Jude closed this chapter with an encouraging word for believers even though it appeared that some were leaving the faith. Jude wanted to speak hope and life to those that were still professing their salvation in Jesus, to not lose heart but keep trusting and believing.
In this verse, “stumbling” means falling into sin or error. Jude was not admonishing the believers that they could avoid falling away in their own power and strength. But on the contrary, he writes that there is only one that has that kind of power and authority. There is only one that has redeemed us and made us righteous, reconciling us back to God, and His name is Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
As I read this part of the verse this morning, I couldn’t help but think how comforting and great it is to know that Jesus keeps us! He is able! There isn’t any guessing as to if He can or if He will. He will as we follow Him and trust Him.
Even though Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel, he wrote to Timothy to encourage him in the faith. He said, “…for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” II Timothy 1:12
I can write to you today and say without reservation that I know I can entrust myself and my family’s lives each day to the ONLY One that can keep us - the ONLY One that is capable to do it. How do I know? Because I have experienced the keeping power of Jesus through this season. I know we are walking in His strength and power. Period.
And I submit to you, that yes, you, too, can trust in Jesus. He will guard you and keep you as you walk in a daily relationship with Him until the day of His return.
