He will hold me fast!

Today I woke up singing a rendition of He Will Hold Me Fast by Keith and Kristyn Getty. As I fixed my first cup of coffee, heated a grain-free, banana muffin, and sat to meditate, I began to reflect on each phrase.

It was in this time of silent reflection, that I felt the truth of these words from head-to-toe. I needed this melody of truth ringing in my ears. As it settled upon my heart, I stepped into another day.

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.

Roots spread deep into the spiritual soil of my heart. I sipped and pondered the meaning of these words. He will hold me fast. This is Christ. The holder. He is the grounded, terra-firma beneath my life-song. The soul foundation of who I am.

He will hold me, when the storms of life swirl uncontrollably around me. He will hold me, when I am filled with life-overwhelm, constantly threatening to undo me. He will hold me fast, when danger lurks, threatening my safety. He will hold me when I think I am done! Completely undone, with the all-consuming worries of this life. Even then, 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.

Out of God’s great love for me, His beloved daughter, He invests in every aspect of my life. It is up to me to slow-down long enough to notice. To come-away and abide in His presence, and receive His all-pervading peace. To rehearse the truth of His words, spoken for me.  Each truth hemming me in with safety, offering the out stretched hand of resurrection power.

God’s grace in action

After I regrettably picked up the splinters and fractures of recent days, I find that I cling reverently to this truth. It is God’s grace in action for me. The gift of a new day. A fresh untarnished week. A much needed awakening, after a full night’s rest.

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! 

These words are what I need to soothe the spirit of confession. Repeated hurtful offenses; thrown hastily upon unsuspecting family members. My tongue lashing out, whipping instead of encouraging. Tearing down, instead of building up. I need to feel the hold of God as I reflect on how I had chosen to give-way to my emotions, sadly hurting hurt those I love the most.

In this I breathe a prayer of gratitude for the forgiveness of sin. This is part of His holding. His grace filled redemption. Not treating us as our sins deserve. My heart bursts, it cannot contain such a gift.

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

A new day dawns

As I look to a new day, I am filled with longing to know the truth of these words in a deeper way. Like the stories of the prophets of the Old Testament, I can look back at the rocks piled as an altar to God. Reflectively, I trace God’s fingerprints, stopping to worship the God who has faithfully held me fast.

He has held me fast through many rushing waters, that have threatened to undo me. The waters of transition, loss, soul grief, regret, shame, anxiety and chronic illness. God has held me through many steep uphill climbs as well as downward tumbling slopes.

Isaiah tells us of this holding of God.

 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3a

Personal Reflection:

What about you, have you experienced the holding fast of God in your life? When the sand shifts beneath your feet, as the tide rushes in. Do you know that He is your sure foundation, the rock upon which you stand, despite the howl of life’s winds? He never grows weary at your coming. Part of holding you fast is His receiving you in your greatest need.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV

Personal Proposal:

Slow down. Take notice of the holding of Christ in your life. He will never let you go! This is His eternal promise to you. It is for the now and the not-yet. It is a reminder that He was present in your past and will be with you in the dailies of your life.

Christ Jesus is a forever-holder. He will hold you fast. Do you know it? Stop and receive this gift of Christ to you, His beloved.

PRAYER: 

God, when I am overwhelmed, help me to know that you will hold me fast. Help me to realize that I don’t need to give way to fear, or be filled with discouragement. You are my strong tower of strength. You will faithfully help and hold me up.

God, so often I don’t know the right way to go, but you are the One who will help me to discern the right pathway to take. You always lead with clarity and wisdom. My confusion will diminish, when I look to you to lead.

Thank you that you have engraved my name upon the palms of your hands. I am ever before you. You will never leave me helpless or orphaned. I will not be forgotten by You.

You, O LORD, are exactly what I need, for you are the Great Shepherd.

Show me how and when to lay down and rest. Lead me to places that offer quiet hope, pockets of peace throughout my day.

When my life caves in with overwhelm, thank you God, you are my perfect peace. Guide me in paths that lead to righteous thought and living. Even when I walk through the valleys that seem desolate and dark, may I know that I am never alone.  

God, today I look for your leading, your comfort, your peace against the swirl of fear in my life. My cup of blessing overflows because you will hold me fast. You are the continuous offering of surety, a sure foundation in a shifting world.

In Jesus Name. AMEN.

(Scripture prayer taken from ESV. Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 49:16; Psalm 23:1-6)

He Will Hold Me Fast

“From the first time we heard this song written by Matt Merker, we felt it was a unique jewel that would be a comfort and encouragement to God’s people as we live out faith in these difficult times, whether in suffering, persecution or death.” -Keith Getty

https://store.gettymusic.com/us/song/he-will-hold-me-fast/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ

LINDA JANE DINGELDEIN: DIFFERENT BY DESIGN

MIXED MEDIA BY LINDA JANE DINGELDEIN