Tag Archives: Jude

Jude, Isaiah 44

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Jude warns about the need to persevere in the last days, “building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life“.

This hope of mercy and eternal life is built on a unique guarantee. God says “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god…Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it?”  There is only one God that created us, who stretched out the heavens; He has promised He will redeem Israel. “I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me“.

Isaiah writes of this redemption as if it had already happened, so certain was he that it would happen. “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob“. So let’s take Jude’s advice, build up our faith, confident in God’s impending mercy and redemption.

 

Ruth 1-2, Jude

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Today we start the story of Ruth, a brilliant example of faith and love for God. Despite all the tragedy in Ruth’s life, she turns her back on Moab and returns to Bethlehem with Naomi.  In Bethlehem she had nothing except her mother-in-law and her faith in God, yet she was willing to trust and rely on God for her continued existence.

Jude’s epistle appeals to us to “contend for the faith”, to “build yourselves up in the most holy faith…keep yourselves in the love of God.” Ruth’s life really reflects this in her decision to leave her former life behind and pursue God, and so our life should also reflect our faith.

Jude also reminds us that our God is powerful and loving, “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”

Deuteronomy 30, Isaiah 2

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Moses described God’s word as something that “is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”  Loving God, showing His character in our lives, is not something which is impossible.  “Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him.”  It is a choice that is ours alone to make – between “life and good, death and evil.”

Isaiah makes a similar plea, “O houses of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.” We have been called to be part of that house of Jacob, to walk in God’s light, to choose life and hold fast 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 Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  So let us build ourselves up in faith, praying and “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life”.  In a world of uncertainty and doubt, we can at least be certain and confident in God’s love.