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 video 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 tune our hearts.
Never Alone
Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Recall the last time you felt alone.
Maybe it was some time ago, or very recent. Remember what was going through your mind. What had happened that left you feeling exposed or isolated?
How did you deal with that terrible feeling? Did you take it to God, or in some measure had you convinced yourself or had others convinced you that He was responsible so He was the last One you wanted to talk to about it?
Be Honest
If we are honest, we would all admit there have been times when it even seemed like God had forsaken us. We may have even continued to believe He had not, but it sure felt like.
In times like that I try to remind myself of God’s promises. Key word, try. It is not always easy.
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
I have been wrestling lately with the fact that in most situations God is responsible for His part, and I for mine. So based on this verse what is mine? I must know His name which reveals His character and put my trust in Him and seek Him. Sounds simple. Rarely is.
When you are upset with someone, it is difficult to bring yourself to the point where you search them out. It is easier to avoid the disappointment and not talk about it. But it hurts both parties. When we seek God, we find Him. That enables us to learn His name. Knowing His name helps us trust Him.
RESONATE!
The Lord never forsakes us. Say that out loud. Personalize it. The Lord never forsakes me. Put your name in there and tell your soul. The Lord will never forsake you _____. We have all had times when we were trying to trust God was really hard, but the alternative never produces better results. If God seems distant ask the Holy Spirit to reveal why that is, and then ask Him to help you deal with what He reveals.
Time Keeps Slipping Away
Whatsoever years may bring,
I have struggled for years with the phrase, “Time heals all wounds.” Add to that struggle the reality of this line and you can understand why? The passing of years bring new challenges, hurts, pains, joys, etc.
Sometimes the promises of God as mentioned above can bring some solace to help mitigate those challenges, but sometimes they may instead seem to exacerbate them. Take Jeremiah 29:11 below for instance.
Maybe you feel like you have suffered something evil. There is just no other reasonable explanation for it. You believe God has your welfare in mind and is giving you a future and a hope, but the evil you are facing causes you to question where God is as the clock keeps ticking.
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
Trusting God
And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. Have the years brought something that is threatening to pull your attention or affection away from God?
He would want you to use that same incident to draw you nearer. But sometimes instead we blame Him after all the years can only bring what God allows, and sometimes those things are hard to swallow.
Maybe I am not describing your relationship with God, but someone you know. Someone you love. Someone whose heart has become hard. Whether it is you or a friend take some time to consider this.
RESONATE!
Is there something from your past that you or someone you love has not gotten over, and maybe is causing resentment God? That can be even more painful that a friend forsaken you, and harder to overcome. Ask God to reveal if there is any such thing that has come your way over the years. Whatsoever He brings to mind ask Him to heal today, and trust Him and His plans for you.
Jesus, thank You for the reminder that I am never alone. If or when I am tempted to believe anything else, remind me of your promise. That moment may come today, years from from now, or both, but I have determined to trust You and seek You, if You will but help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Deliberate Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 53.2 Transcript, 19.2 REFRAMED
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.
There are times when it is difficult to sense God’s presence, but that does not mean He has left us. He never will. He has made a promise and He will keep it. Does it seem like God is not near? Ask Him to reveal why that is, and to help you to address it.
God, show me anything that is keeping me from sensing You.
And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. What is threatening to pull your attention of affection away from God today?
Jesus, what is threatening my relationship with You today?
Here is the most painful test of all, when those closest to you fail you. We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we need them it is the worst. Ask the Spirit to heal you from those injuries
Spirit, heal me from the pain of friendships 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.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
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 awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Learning to Trust God Through the Years, REFRAMED appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Whatsoever Years May Bring – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/time-clock-time-of-time-indicating-1632030/
Him Who Will Not Leave You – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/partnership-connectedness-personal-526416/
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