HE WILL HOLD ME FAST

God had something to say to me this week. He said it three times, so I guess He knows I’m a poor listener.

On Sunday, the song “He will hold me fast” brought tears to my eyes. I can’t quote the words due to copyright, but the part that struck me spoke of my inability to hold to Him and of my love that often grows cold. But the song went on to assure the weak, that the Father is strong and will keep his arms around us.

When I pray about my failings, there are three main categories that comprise my prayers.

• Help me be a better person.
• Help me do the tasks you have assigned me.
• Give me strength.

I receive answers each time I pray, but I become discouraged when I ask for the same things each week.

But as I sang, I felt enfolded in peace. I was encouraged to think of the Lord’s hands holding me as my arms and legs flailed against the fear of falling, until I realized who holds me—my God, my Creator, my Father.

That evening, I received a little devotional journal I’d bought—FROM HIS HEART TO YOURS AND BACK AGAIN, Scripture based prayers for Christian Writers from Ephesians, written by my friend and fellow author, Natasha Woodcraft. The devotional verse was Ephesians 1:4 ‘Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.’ (Italics mine.)

I don’t understand that. I’m certainly not holy. I know the theology, yes. Because Christ died, was buried, and rose again, God sees us as holy and without fault. But viscerally, I can’t understand. It’s a mystery why He would do that for me–for us. But I can remember and understand “He will hold me fast.” Why?

Because He’s my father. And as a mother, I think I understand something akin to a father’s love.

Then this morning, I received an emailed prayer from a member of a faith-based writing group I belong to. The devotional passage was Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV) I suggest you read it all, because it’s beautiful and powerful. But because I’m afraid you might skip ☺, I’ll pull out four lines:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

He will hold me fast. His grip will not slip. He will give  me strength. I am in good hands.

Your turn ~

Do you find yourself praying for the same things over and over?

Would you share something God has taught you recently?

Dana McNeely

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Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah raising the widow’s son from the dead, author Dana McNeely wondered what became of the boy.  She began research for her novel, “Rain,” which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from his perspective. No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies.

In 2021 RAIN became a finalist in The Christy Award (use the registered mark) and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award® and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award.

WHIRLWIND, the second novel in the “Whispers on the Wind” series, tells the story of a king’s downfall and a love that transcends war.

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