HOLD FAST THE WORD OF LIFE (9)

“LET US HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised IS FAITHFUL” – Hebrews 10:23

GOD’S Faithfulness is solid enough basis for us to HOLD FAST to the WORD of LIFE: “LET US HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised IS FAITHFUL” (Heb. 10:23). The New International Version says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” The writer of Hebrews presents a very critical challenge to Believers; a command that’s identified by “LET US.” This statement depicts the response of the faithful to God’s Faithfulness. It gives a glimpse into how true Believers in Christ respond to life’s challenges. We, the faithful, are to “hold fast the profession of our faith” (KJV). Since we claim to have hope in Christ Jesus and since we profess that we are saved and headed to Heaven, we are to live out that hope by remaining faithful to the Lord.

The Book of Hebrews reveals that some of the Jewish converts were having a hard time making a clean break from their religious rituals. They were trying to concurrently hold onto their Jewish roots and to Jesus. They were warned to beware lest they turn away from Christ and return to their old lives. There is a danger in that for us as well. Having been saved from the darkness of sin, there is always the danger of turning back to the world. We are charged to be on guard and be faithful to the Lord Who saved our souls by His Grace. There is nothing back there but pain, suffering, heartache and death. Apostle John said this about those who turned back: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out…” (1 Jh.2:19a).

Hebrews 10:39 says that “we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” Believers are to walk faithfully, being assured that Jesus will keep His end of the bargain. When He saved and called us out of our sins, He promised us a new life: “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jh.10:10). He will not fail to deliver all He has promised His children. He will never fail or disappoint us. He says: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb.13:5). Every promise He made to us is an ironclad promise that will be fulfilled. The knowledge that God will always be faithful should inspire us to be faithful to Him in return! Strong faith is built upon knowledge of God’s Faithfulness and Integrity to keep His Word (Jer.1:12; 1Cor.1:9; 1The.5:24; 2The.2:3).

When faith seems hardest is when faith is usually most needed. It is also when we need to be reminded of the hope we have in Christ. In tough times, sometimes all we can do is hold on to the Lord for dear life. Sometimes that’s all we need to do. We hope and are assured that God is faithful and keeps His promises – all of them! The Lord will provide, protect, and prepare a way for us, even where there seems to be none. The reason why we are reminded to hold fast and unwavering to the confessions of our hope is that God doesn’t always operate on our timeline. He knows better and has better plans for us, but sometimes that is hard to perceive, process, and be patient about. However, we must continue to be expectant of the fulfilment of God’s promises; cling to them; hold them close, and constantly affirm them!

God is saying: “It’s going to be okay. Do not lose heart. It may appear dark now, but the light is coming. Do not give up in the night. Hold fast My Word of Life. Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning” (Psa.30:5b).” Beloved, let’s stay the course of Hope. In the end, we would have proven beyond a shadow of doubt, that GOD IS FAITHFUL!