Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)
By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)
Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Ever had a friend forsake you? That is painful. But take heart, God never will. Let’s think about this.
Ouch!
When someone you thought you could count on walks away, it hurts. When someone you thought was a friend turns their back on you, it really hurts. When it feels like every friend you have has forsaken you, it REALLY hurts!
If by earthly friends forsaken
Being abandoned or deserted is a terrible thing to experience. Not only do you have to deal with the betrayal, but then there’s isolation. Feeling very alone is awful, ask Paul.
At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 2 Timothy 4:16 ESV
Wow! How about that response from Paul. I am not certain I could muster the courage or forgiveness to let all my earthly friends off the hook with such energy! The translation adds an exclamation point.
This is a sad story Paul tells, but we have all felt the sting of a friend forsaking us at one point or another. Some were no big deal, others have been exceedingly painful. What’s your story?
RESONATE!
We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we really need them it is the worst of all disappointments. We are going to consider how God wants us to respond to Him when earthly friends forsake us, but take a moment to reflect on how you have responded to those earthly friends first. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for any hurt that has lingered. Ask Him to allow you to extend the same forgiveness Paul offered to those who deserted him. It may not mean you even restore the relationship, but carrying unforgiveness around really only hurts you.
Ahhhh!
When we feel the sting of being forsaken by earthly friends, we have the opportunity to embrace the balm of clinging all the more closely to heavenly ones. It comes down to where we find our primary source of encouragement and support, and that should always be in God. Think about this.
In response to some disappointment in an earthly friendship, you cling all the more to God. Over time, your grip and resolve weaken, like that of an infant, and you let go. In that moment you will discover God is still holding onto you, like an attentive parent, aware of every need and ready to supply.
There are times when we cling a little more to His unchanging hand because other things have failed us. But even the most determined of us loose our grip after awhile. Thankfully God never does.
Still more closely to Him cling.
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV
Oh He could let go, and that might cause you to fear, but He will not. It would be inconsistent with His character. We fear Him and serve Him, swear by His name and hold fast to Him, because He is faithful.
RESONATE!
What is causing you to cling more closely to Him today and in this season. COVID-19? Social injustice? An earthly friendship forsaken? All the defeats and disappointments in life are allowed by God to remind us that He is always there for us, and enough for every need. Tell Him again today that you are committed to cling to Him still more closely because He is the One changeless reality in life. Father, I am committed to cling to You.
Jesus thank You that You never fail us, even when every other friend may. Teach me in the moments of uncertainty, isolation and disappointment to cling all the more closely to You. You are faithful. Help me trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Restful Thinking!
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Podcast 19.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Trust in Him who will not leave you,
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV
The Lord never forakes us. We have all had times when we were trying to trust Him but it was hard. Commit to seek Him today and then feel free to remind Him of His promise to never forsake You. He is good for it and you can trust Him.
Whatsoever years may bring,
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
The years can only bring what God allows, but even still sometimes the things they bring are hard to swallow. Is there something from your past that you have not gotten over, for which you are maybe still resentful toward God? Ask Him to heal you today, and trust Him and His plans for you.
If by earthly friends forsaken
At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 2 Timothy 4:16 ESV
This is a sad story Paul tells, but we have all felt the sting of a friend forsaking us at one point or another. Some were no big deal, others have been exceedingly painful. Ask God to allow you to extend the same forgiveness Paul offers to those who deserted him.
Still more closely to Him cling.
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV
Our moments alone can cause us to fear the Lord, but they should also challenge us to serve Him and hold fast to Him. When everything else is stripped away, God is still there, and we have the choice to cling all the more closely. Determine today to do that now, and always.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Committed to Clinging Closely? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Earthly Friends Forsaken – https://pixabay.com/photos/one-against-all-all-against-one-1744086/
Still More Closely – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-holding-bond-love-people-2545754/
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