Issue 1393 – Hold Fast – March 12, 2024
In yesterday’s Gleanings, we looked at the church in Philadelphia. The Lord praised them for their perseverance in difficult circumstances and encouraged them to stay firm in their faith. He called them to “Hold Fast.”
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:10-13
That phrase has been echoing in my brain since hearing the sermon on Sunday about the church in Philadelphia.
Hold fast has its origins in the Dutch nautical term “houd vast,” which translates as “Hold Tight, referring to the ship’s ropes and riggings. It’s often tattooed on the knuckles of sailors.
To hold fast is to persevere.
Jesus isn’t the first to call His people to Hold fast.
It appears as a command in the days of the Exodus.
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. Deuteronomy 10:20-21
It shows up repeatedly in the New Testament as well.
But Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:6
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10;23
The concept of perseverance is found throughout the Scriptures. We cannot hold fast under our own power, but the Spirit that dwells within us makes it possible.
We are to go into the whole world and take the gospel. While we do so, we hold fast to Christ; we abide in Him and trust in Him.
My friends, there will be rough seas ahead for believers. That has always been the way of the world. Still, we can hold fast to Christ and be assured of victory.
Press on my friends and persevere.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)