In thirteen days, Paul and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage. When we committed our lives to one another, we committed to holding fast to each other; that no matter what we would persevere through the joys and trials of marriage.  By God’s grace, we have done that.  Our marriage has been full of many high hills and deep valleys and most of the time we are in the space of ascending or descending those hills.  Marriage is a good and precious gift from the Lord, however it’s easy to take for granted and not work at it. Sadly, there have been times where Paul and I have done that.  It takes intentionality and time to hold fast to each other in marriage, but it’s worth it. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  What does it mean to hold fast to what is good?

Hold Fast means:

to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together (as in glue to paper)

to join or fasten firmly together (as in nail to wood)

to join one’s self to, cleave to (as in marriage)

Here are some verses that unpack this further in regard to our relationship with the Lord:

Deuteronomy 10:20 “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.”

Hebrews 3:6 “Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.”

Hebrew 3:14 “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”

Hebrews 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

What is Good means:

of good constitution or nature (as in a ‘good’ baby)

useful, salutary (as in tools that make life easier)

good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy (as in so many things)

excellent, distinguished (as in an honors student or high ranking official)

upright, honorable (as in marriage)

Here are some verses that unpack this further in our relationship with the Lord:

Psalm 107:1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are living in day and age where the apostle Paul is speaking clearly to us as he was in the days he was writing.  He admonishes and encourages us in I Thessalonians 5:12-22, to hold fast to what is good which finds its fullest meaning in holding fast to Jesus Christ. 

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

How do we hold fast to what is good?  Do we just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and just do it?  No! We hold fast to what is good because we are held fast by the Lord.

Psalm 139:7-10

Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there Your hand shall lead me,

and Your right hand shall hold me fast.

Blessings to you,

Heather

It’s the 5 Monday of June.

Pray for:

1. Yourself….that your love would be genuine, that you would hate evil, and hold fast to what is good.  Pray that you would be fearless, be humble, pray & seek the Lord, turn from your sin, be found ready, trust the Lord that He is preparing a place for you, be salt & light to this broken world.
2. Your Spouse – Faith

Pray Matthew 17:20 over your spouse today.

2. Your Children – Prayerfulness

Pray Ephesians 6:18 over your children today.

2. Monday – Immediate Family 

Pray for your parents, in-laws, siblings, nieces, and nephews