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Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy (Jude 24, NASB).
When I first became a Christian, just months out of the drug-infused hippy culture of the 60s and 70s. I began wondering, with my background, if I would someday walk away from faithfulness to Jesus.
It might seem silly 53 years of walking with Jesus later, but it was a big deal back then, as I knew my past weaknesses and my then-current inadequacies and had doubts — doubts that almost caused me to stumble.
That’s the purpose of diabolical doubt — not legitimate “doubting Thomas” doubt of questioning a miracle like the resurrection (that Jesus resolved to increase the faith of Thomas) — but defeating doubt, losing heart doubt, endless doubt, without answers doubt, and a quitting doubt.
During this period of doubt, I read Jude 24. It became one of those lightning on a dark night Scriptural events in my life, so let’s read the verse again.
Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy.
I believed that Jesus would protect me from stumbling and viola — from 1972 to 2025 — I still follow Jesus! When I read this verse, immediately, the Spirit took away my nagging doubt and gave me confidence.
The doubt was gone. Gone! I haven’t doubted my continued salvation since.
Jude, verses 24 and 25, is a prayer. The Lord’s brother Jude prayed for believers to be kept faithful and blameless until the coming of Jesus. Let’s read the entire prayer. . .
Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless 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.
The word “stumbling” in the Greek means “sure-footed,” and the word “blameless” means “pure, without stain.” Knowing my inadequacies, even after 53 years of following Jesus, many of them still exist. There’s no way that I can be sure-footed and without stain by my own effort.
That’s why I began praying this prayer based on Jude 24 and 25. . .
Lord Jesus, keep me from stumbling. I want to be found faithful when I stand before You in heaven. Give me strength not only to stand but also to be victorious and, through my victory, to help others walk faithfully. Jesus, You alone are able!
I still ask this prayer. It’s been a consistent prayer for 53 years.
I can’t, but Jesus can. Doubt be gone in the Name of Jesus.
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!