Todays Word with Skip Moen Devotional for October 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy Jude 24 Stumbling - The word aptaistous is used only here in the entire New Testament. It comes from ptaio, a verb that is a metaphor for falling into disobedience. There is a beautiful parallel here with Isaiah 42:16 (October 20). God promises to make the blind walk in paths they do not know. Now we see the same idea in the New Testament. God is the motive power behind walking without stumbling. When we were blind, we constantly crashed into life, stumbling and falling with injuries. But God makes us able to walk with sight. We dont stumble because we can see where we are going. The Greek text actually says to keep you without stumbling. It is not that God directs us in ways that give us a nice smooth path. It is rather that wherever we walk, we do not stumble because He keeps watch over us. It is His guarding power that sets our footing firmly, even if the path we tread is full of pitfalls and obstacles. The path of a Christian is a new way, a way we would never have considered. It is often very treacherous, but the dangers are overcome because God guards our steps. Once I had the experience of driving a Ferrari on a racetrack. The instructor took me through the turns and straightaway, telling me when to accelerate and when to brake. Then we switched places. Now let me show you how this car is supposed to be driven, he said. I thought I was doing well until he started driving. I was scared to death. But he said to me, Dont worry. Ive done this hundreds of times. Youre in no danger. God is in the drivers seat. If Hes not, you better move over. Gods ways are usually not the smooth highways with nice exit ramps. Gods way are more likely to be tricky turns and wild hairpins. Gods ways require diligence and attention. You cant gaze off while youre moving or youre likely to crash. But God promises that His ways will be infinitely more satisfying and joyful. And He says, Youre not traveling alone. Ill drive. Just come along for the ride. Even when He is driving, it will take your breath away. But be confident. He has driven the course thousands of times without a single mistake. Now you get to take your turn to ride with Him without stumbling.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:23:04 +0000
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