“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” – Jude 24 and 25 (NIV)
God, sometimes when I look around me, it seems like the whole world is lost in the dark, wandering around with no sense of direction and tripping over obstacles they can’t even see. If I’m honest, sometimes I feel like I’m in that same situation myself. I need a guide who can keep me from stumbling all over myself, tripped up by pride or anxiety or selfishness. But more than that, I need to know which way to go and how to get there.
God, you are my guide. You can prevent me from falling and point me in the right direction. Lead me up the path that brings me face to face and heart to heart before you in all your glory. Nothing you ask me to leave behind now can compare to the joy of seeing you someday and knowing you’re pleased with me.
How many ways you use to guide me in your path, God! Their variety reflects your creativity and care. You’ve left me the Scriptures as a map to study. You listen and speak to me through prayer. You send fellow travelers and circumstances as signs pointing out where I should go.
The path you lead me on has many twists and turns. Often I can’t tell what’s ahead because it’s hidden around a bend. But I can trust you to show me step by step and day by day what to do next. Sometimes the path is smooth and makes for easy walking. Other times the trail is rough and steep. Help me not to get careless and distracted when the route is gentle. Help me not to get worn out and discouraged when it’s hard going. Let me find my focus and my strength in you.
God, there are many paths that lead nowhere. There are people and things that advertise themselves as if they were gods and saviors: they promise happiness and fulfillment if I’ll just put my trust in them. But all of them turn out to be disappointments in the end. Help me to remember that you are the only God and Savior. You are the only one who has ever or will ever deserve all praise through Jesus Christ. Before time began, the glory was yours. Throughout all the ages of history, you have ruled in majesty. For all the ages to come, yours will be the power. Take gracious authority over my life today. Amen.
