April 5th, 2024
by Dr. Josh Franklin
by Dr. Josh Franklin
Sometimes we may think that we are holding onto God, but in reality, God is holding onto us.
A man and his son were preparing to cross the street. Although there was some traffic, it wasn't too heavy. The father told the son to hold his hand. The little boy wrapped his chubby little fingers around one of his father’s fingers. As they began walking, the traffic started to get more intense. The father noticed this and decided to take extra precautions. Instead of allowing the child to hold his little finger, the father wrapped his big hand around the boy's hand and pulled him across the oncoming traffic to safety. When they reached the other side, the boy looked up and said, "I didn't let go, Daddy." You and I both know it wasn't the boy holding the dad's hand, but rather it was the dad holding the son's hand. God also says to His children, "I am keeping you."
Peter writes about God’s keeping care for His children in 1 Peter 1:3-5. He writes,
1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
He's not only keeping the inheritance for you, he's also keeping you for the inheritance. Verse five says, "who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." He says, "You are kept." This describes the eternal security that each one of us has as a child of God.
Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. He delights in his way, though he may fall. He shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him with his righteous hand." This verse reminds us that even if we stumble, God is always there to lift us up.
2 Timothy 1:12 also says, "… I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that day." This verse reminds us that we can trust in God to take care of the things we entrust to Him.
This story illustrates how God is holding us:
“One day in 1932, 200 sailors were holding onto ropes attached to the dirigible, the USS Akron, as they attempted to moor the giant airship to a steel mast in San Diego. Suddenly, however, the dirigible shot straight up into the air. Some of the men hung onto the lines and were swept up with the ship, soon falling to the ground. Several were killed. After all the rest had fallen, one man kept hanging on. He could be seen as the dirigible soared high in the sky. People were screaming and fainting. They knew this sailor couldn't hold on much longer, and any minute he might fall back to the earth and certain death. But after an hour and forty-five minutes, when they were able to pull the dirigible back to its mooring, the sailor was still dangling from the airship. An ambulance was waiting to take him to the hospital, but he said he was all right. People asked him how he had held on for so long. He told them he had found he had about four feet of rope, so, while holding on with one hand, he tied the rope around his waist with the other, and the rope held him. He had just been swinging free the whole time!”[1]
Today, you might feel like you are struggling, but it is important to remember that God is always with you. Instead of holding onto the rope, let the rope hold onto you. Imagine how it would feel to be confident and secure in knowing that your reservation is settled in heaven, that you have an inheritance, and that you are a child of the King. You are richer than you realize, and this knowledge can help you find hope in the future and power in the present.
"Lord, when I feel like I am exhausted, and I can’t hold on any longer, please remind me that You are the One Who is holding me. Help me remember that I can rest in Your keeping care. You have me in the palm of Your hands, and You will keep me from falling. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
[1] https://www.facebook.com/180971748595555/posts/swinging-free-kenneth-e-hagin-finally-my-brethren-be-strong-in-the-lord-and-in-t/2992479724111396/
A man and his son were preparing to cross the street. Although there was some traffic, it wasn't too heavy. The father told the son to hold his hand. The little boy wrapped his chubby little fingers around one of his father’s fingers. As they began walking, the traffic started to get more intense. The father noticed this and decided to take extra precautions. Instead of allowing the child to hold his little finger, the father wrapped his big hand around the boy's hand and pulled him across the oncoming traffic to safety. When they reached the other side, the boy looked up and said, "I didn't let go, Daddy." You and I both know it wasn't the boy holding the dad's hand, but rather it was the dad holding the son's hand. God also says to His children, "I am keeping you."
Peter writes about God’s keeping care for His children in 1 Peter 1:3-5. He writes,
1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
He's not only keeping the inheritance for you, he's also keeping you for the inheritance. Verse five says, "who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." He says, "You are kept." This describes the eternal security that each one of us has as a child of God.
Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. He delights in his way, though he may fall. He shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him with his righteous hand." This verse reminds us that even if we stumble, God is always there to lift us up.
2 Timothy 1:12 also says, "… I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that day." This verse reminds us that we can trust in God to take care of the things we entrust to Him.
This story illustrates how God is holding us:
“One day in 1932, 200 sailors were holding onto ropes attached to the dirigible, the USS Akron, as they attempted to moor the giant airship to a steel mast in San Diego. Suddenly, however, the dirigible shot straight up into the air. Some of the men hung onto the lines and were swept up with the ship, soon falling to the ground. Several were killed. After all the rest had fallen, one man kept hanging on. He could be seen as the dirigible soared high in the sky. People were screaming and fainting. They knew this sailor couldn't hold on much longer, and any minute he might fall back to the earth and certain death. But after an hour and forty-five minutes, when they were able to pull the dirigible back to its mooring, the sailor was still dangling from the airship. An ambulance was waiting to take him to the hospital, but he said he was all right. People asked him how he had held on for so long. He told them he had found he had about four feet of rope, so, while holding on with one hand, he tied the rope around his waist with the other, and the rope held him. He had just been swinging free the whole time!”[1]
Today, you might feel like you are struggling, but it is important to remember that God is always with you. Instead of holding onto the rope, let the rope hold onto you. Imagine how it would feel to be confident and secure in knowing that your reservation is settled in heaven, that you have an inheritance, and that you are a child of the King. You are richer than you realize, and this knowledge can help you find hope in the future and power in the present.
"Lord, when I feel like I am exhausted, and I can’t hold on any longer, please remind me that You are the One Who is holding me. Help me remember that I can rest in Your keeping care. You have me in the palm of Your hands, and You will keep me from falling. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
[1] https://www.facebook.com/180971748595555/posts/swinging-free-kenneth-e-hagin-finally-my-brethren-be-strong-in-the-lord-and-in-t/2992479724111396/
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