The point of chapter 4 is summed up but verse 11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” All creatures in heaven and earth are created to give honor and praise to God. He created and sustains everything and is worth.

I don’t have a lot to say about today’s reading other than an observation that God is the ultimate equalizer. When we think we are out gunned or out manned, God has the ability to equal our adversary. God is never too small or unable to help us. We must remember to stay in His will, but God has the ability to match any obstacle we come against. Lean on Him and rely on His strength to take care of you each day and He will take you where you need to be.

Today we are reading the single chapter book of Jude which was a letter written by Jude who was the brother of Jesus. The purpose of this letter was to remind the early church to stay vigilant against the prolific heresy of that day and to keep a pure faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The book is summed up by the last two verses of the book, 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jesus deserves all the glory through all the good and bad that may happen to us. He never leaves His throne no matter what is happening because He is ultimately in control and our faith should reflect that no matter what happens to us.

After reading the previous chapter about all of the people who were examples of faith, the “great cloud of witnesses”, Paul reminds us of the constant encouragement their faithfulness should be to us. Hebrews 12:1 says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. The Christian life involves hard work, but we are not alone. We have the ability to look back and see those who have run the race before us and know it can be done. We must also shed the things in our lives that hold us back. When was the last time you saw a competitive runner wearing a backpack?

If there is ever any doubt know this; God is 100% faithful to us. Verse 23 says, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Knowing that He is faithful, we must hold onto the faith and knowledge that He love and cares for us. God wants nothing but what is best for us.

Ok, I really need to pay more attention to these passages. I have read 1 Peter several times and this is the first time I noticed Peter’s reference to Noah’s flood symbolizing baptism in verse 21, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also–not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I totally get it now. The flood symbolizes the cleansing of the entire earth from evil and by faith Noah and his family were saved. So cool!