He Will Hold Me Fast

Good Morning! 

Saturday will be the fourth year we have celebrated our Yonah Mountain Christmas.  I have to admit, though, that we had to delay one of those Christmas celebrations due to ice and snow in the mountains … and there is a possibility of the same this year.  While I love the beauty of snow, I am praying that it will hold off until the next week. 

One of the more meaningful songs we are singing in this year’s Yonah Mountain Christmas Celebration is “He Will Hold Me Fast”.  Here is the lyric …

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

These beautiful words of faith were written by Ada R. Habershon and put to music by Matthew Mercer. In the cycle of life we are going to experience times where we feel so low … when things go so wrong in our lives and we feel so alone.  It is in those times we can turn to our faith in Christ Jesus who holds us close to His heart. 

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes this statement …

Hebrews 13:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

As we were singing this song last night … wrapping up our rehearsal … I could not help but think of how close Jesus has held me since my sweetheart went Home.  For example, I spent the intermission of Amahl yesterday talking with a friend who related how close God has come to him in the last few months.  This is a person that YOU have been praying for … and whose testimony yesterday lifted my spirit.  Tears welled as we sang the last chorus of the song … tears of gratitude; tears of faith as I thought of the faithfulness of my Savior and my Lord.

This same Jesus will hold YOU fast … all day, every day … in every situation.  Extend your hand and let Him take a firm grip.  He will hold fast.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  How often You remind me in verse of song of Your faithful presence in my life.  Thank You, dear Father, for Your steadfast love for me.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Hebrews 13:5-6

Prayer Emphasis:  Pray for Adam, a 39 year-old man who was struck down last week with a brain aneurysm and remains unconscious and for his mother and father who are with him at the hospital.