We have a pretty amazing men’s group at our fellowship. Probably one of the things that surprises me the most is the degree of candor that exists within this group of men. Not that we get all touchy-feely . . . but that there is just a willingness to be open and to talk about things that . . . well, quite frankly, would be just as easy not to talk about and leave in the basement of the past or bury in the benign things of the present. Interestingly, one of the residual effects, for some, of hearing these stories of guys having gone through a tempest . . . of those who have, admittedly by God’s grace, come out of the other side of the storm . . . is a kind of fear. It’s a fear that wonders, “If I were to find myself in the same situation, would I prevail as well? Would I stand the test as they did? Or would I falter, and thus dishonor the Name of the One who saved me?” And I get the question . . . I can relate to the uncertainty . . . you don’t really know how you’ll respond in a situation until you’re there.

But this morning, wrapping up the tiny letter of Jude, there’s a promise that alleviates the fear . . . a word that eases the worry. And it really isn’t about whether or not we think we’ll be able to run any gauntlet that life throws our way . . . instead it’s all about Him who is able.

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

True statement . . . we don’t know what tomorrow (or even today) holds. Equally true statement . . . He is able to keep us from stumbling.

The fear of the trial is that somehow it might cause us to question our faith . . . that questioning might lead to unbelief . . . that unbelief would result in disobedience . . . that disobedience would end in a failure to uphold the Name or, in a falling away from the pursuit of the kingdom. But the Spirit, through Jude, assures the child of God that our God is able to keep us from stumbling.

The stories we hear around that men’s table . . . the testimonies we hear at our men’s breakfast . . . so often testify of a grace that kicks in . . . of a presence known as clearly as it has ever been known . . . of an abiding strength that keeps men keepin’ on. The stories tell of the fulfillment of the promise . . . He is able to keep you from stumbling.

Enough are the cares for the day . . . I don’t need to worry about what lies around the corner or if I’ll be able to stand firm amidst it . . . He is able. This morning I enter the fray fully convinced of His saving power . . . His all sufficient grace . . . and His sanctifying presence. I don’t need to spend time wondering if something’s going to come up that causes my faith to falter . . . for He is able. I can look back on the altars built along the way, recalling His presence in past storms, remembering His strength in previous times of weakness, reflecting on the renewal of the inner man when my outer world was faltering . . . and I know He is able.

We have not been given a spirit of fear (2Tim. 1:7) . . . instead, we have been given a promise. He who begun the work will complete the work . . . He who called us will deliver us . . . He who cleansed us will present us before Himself spotless. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is . . . not because of what we’ll do, but because of what He has done . . . not because we are able . . . but because He is able.

. . . 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?