Jude 1:24-25
“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.”
Resting on my bedside table is a leather-bound copy of Daily Light for Every Day, a devotional book of scriptures compiled by Anne Graham Lotz. The format is a single page of excerpts from scripture compiled with a theme for morning and another for the evening. It is a gift I gave myself back in 1998, and then added another to have handy in my office. Rather than carrying my rather large Bible when we travel, I depend on this small, compact book of treasures for my daily devotions wherever I may rest my head. With each passing year, I am struck by a series of scriptures in the evening devotion on the theme of God’s ability to provide for us in innumerable ways. I trust that they will remind us daily to stand on these rich, enduring promises, for our God is, indeed, able:
• I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able. 2 Tim. 1:12
• Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Eph 3:20
• Able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always facing all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8
• Able to aid those who are tempted. Heb. 2:18
• Able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25
• Able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Tim 1:12
• Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself. Phil. 3:21
•“‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ According to your faith let it be to you.” Matt. 9:28-29
Perhaps you are questioning where God has been the last couple of years with our country still dealing with political uncertainty and the challenges we have all faced with COVID-19, which have seemed overwhelming at times. Violence and unrest have plagued our country, also causing great stress and worry. There are some who have lost loved ones, suffering from grief and a new loneliness for which they weren’t prepared. But, God. He is able. I encourage you today, dear reader, to make the decision to trust Him and stand on the promises of the One who is able to do beyond what we could ever think or ask. He loves us, He is in control and He has a plan.
Lord, God, how wonderful are Your promises that give us comfort and confidence in Your sovereignty and mighty power. Even though we know it deep in our hearts, there are some days that we tend to doubt that You are able to change our circumstances and emotions. There are days when You appears silent. Forgive our lack of trust, O God, for keeping our eyes down rather than up towards You. Help us to pray through these days and not lose heart. We are reminded that our hope is in You and our faith is in You. For You are able. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
~ painting by John Sloane
