How can we Hold On?
Psalm 37: 5 – 7 says: “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (KJV).
Sometimes to rest in the Lord is the result of discipline, but here it means to wait on the Lord instead of acting on one’s own.
Job was a certainly a man who knew trouble and temptation, and yet he claimed in Job 13: 15 “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” Folks, that is pure commitment. You see, Job has lost everything, his children, his fortune, and his health, but he refused to abandon his faith in God. This stricken man was bound and determined to hold on because he trusted the Lord to do the right thing.
You see, unwavering commitment to trust the Lord in all situations is a cornerstone of unshakable faith. From the vantage point of that foundation, we can focus our eyes on God alone. It is easy to be distracted by many circumstances and we can allow too dictate our emotions. However, if that is the case, then when life is good, when we are happy, when times are tough, we’re frustrated; and when hardships pours down on us like rainwater, we are downright miserable and looking for some way to escape.
Unlike Job, we are very fortunate to have Scripture, which reveals God’s nature and His promises. It is a wise believer who claims those promises when enduring hardships. His Word tells us that our Father is always good, just, faithful, and always trustworthy. When we take our eyes off the day - to - day activities in life and we start to concentrate on honoring Him and knowing His way, we will be happy and find a consistent peace that will carry us through.
In order to hold on to God through any trial or temptation, commit yourself to trust and follow Him every day. Put a claim to His promises. The Lord never changes. He’s the same today as He was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow. He is unchanging and is committed to caring us in all circumstances.
1 Peter 5: 7 tells us: “Casting your care upon him; for he careth for you.” and Hebrews 13: 5 says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV).
So when you’re feeling down and need something to hold on to, reach for the Bible. It will guide you through your trials and hardship and your strength will come from the Lord.