A common benediction in our church services is from a one chapter book, the book of Jude:
24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
How many times have you routinely quoted this verse and not paid attention to the words. As we leave the house of God, after hearing a word from the God who by His grace brought us into fellowship to be strengthened, to be encouraged, to be filled with His Spirit and life– tradition in many of our churches bestows another blessing – to give honor to the One who has the power to:
–keep you from falling
–present you faultless
–to bring you into His presence where there is both glory and joy
and then one final act of worship –
——to the only wise God (be sure and) give glory, majesty; acknowledge His dominion, acknowledge His power, the same power that is past and the same power that will go into forever!
Simple words, a familiar phrase, a powerful statement. The words resonate within me the testimony of all that God has been to me, the promise of all that He will continue to be, the glory that exists with all that this great salvation provides.
Today, on this blessed Lord’s Day -may we engage in true worship – not just a formal act of going to church as the expected thing to do, but savoring the essence of why we go to church – why we need the “engrafted word that is able to save our souls” and most of all to receive the blessing of the “only wise God, who is our Savior, who does have all dominion and power, who is able to keep us from falling, and I might add – this is more important than most of us acknowledge – and then with all the pollution that we encounter on a daily basis – pollution that sometimes clings to our hearts and our lives – that same wise God will wash that pollution away and present us faultless before His throne – what love —what grace— what mercy—what a glorious God!
God Bless You on This Lord’s Day!
Maria
Amen!