Hold Fast How much easier it is to know which direction should have been taken at forks in our lives when we’re looking back on them. Knowing the consequences of the choices made and being separated from the influences of the moment, it is a much more obvious judgment of which was the right one to have taken. While some of those decisions weren’t all that critical, there are others that were life-changing, when relationships and career paths determined the degree of fulfillment and success. If only you could have known how much was riding on many “little” choices made, life could have followed a much different path. There is a great advantage we’ve been given in the choice to follow Christ. As we discover this new identity that’s ours in Him, we are shown which things to seek and how others will be unfavorable and destructive. In the Word, there are many indicators of what we should hold fast to while relinquishing other holds. Rather than being led by whatever desire-driven whim that comes to us, we can yield to a much higher wisdom that knows the end from the beginning. While there will definitely be a letting go of some people, places, and things, the experience of following Him will not only take us to the best destination, but ensure the journey is joyful and fulfilling along the way. In the middle of the noise, passion, and pressure of surrounding circumstances we can have confidence that what we choose to hold fast to will yield the very best results. Abundant life in Him will come in every choice to never let go of His promises. ___ Notes Hold Fast Joshua 22:5 (NKJV) 5 But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." There will be holding fast, either to truth or deceit Jeremiah 8:5 (NKJV) 5 Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return. He told us so Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV) 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; To acknowledge = hold fast Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. In Christ – guide inside John 16:13 (NKJV) 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Our belief – proven by what we are holding 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. All our ways get tested 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV) 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. What we have to hold – faith and love 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. There is a heart confession that directs what is held fast Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. The reward of unwavering holding – His name Revelation 3:11-12 (NKJV) 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.