JUDE 1:24-25

Jude 1:24,25

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore! Amen.

TO PONDER

Grown-ups tend not to believe in ‘happily ever after’. That’s a comforting fairy tale for little children. Adult cynicism tends to judge such sentiments as sickly sweet and unrealistic. Life just isn’t that way, it’s a complicated struggle for the most part. ‘Joy forever’ is a delusion, isn’t it?

The Scriptures consistently couch joy in the context of celebration. Celebration with family and friends, in good times and through difficulty, in this life and beyond. Jude is promoting hope in what Jesus is doing daily, and the joy we have because of him, regardless of circumstances. 

No wonder this text sounds like a joyful toast at a feast. Perhaps he is envisioning the wedding feast of the church and Christ? ‘To the bridegroom! Cheers! To the one, who by his sacrifice can present you to the Father clean and pure, without fault and with great joy. To Jesus, our God and Saviour, who purchased us back from eternal death to heal and restore us for eternal life. Cheers!’

The moral of fairy tales may be unclear and even misleading but the promise that Jude has for us is incontrovertible, joy from our relationship with God grows deep and is everlasting. For ever and ever. Amen.

Remember: Happiness is a fleeting emotion; joy grows deep and remains.

PRAYER

Father, as I sit and wait on you, let joy sink deep into my soul as I reflect on all you have done for me, through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra