Hold Fast!

October 6

Some things require time. A person doesn’t become educated in a day. Attaining a battery of knowledge requires the steady application of study and research in order to achieve mastery. Wars are not won with a single battle but through the rigors of many encounters with a relentless foe.

It can be disconcerting to plod along, to ‘keep on keeping on’ when the outcome seems tenuous at best and the potential for defeat hangs like a dark cloud over the circumstances that are faced. The psalmist understood the concern that looms over the mind of one who cannot see a clear road to victory.

In Psalm 13:4-5, David says, “My foes will rejoice because I am shaken; but I have trusted in Your faithful love and my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.” Though David knew he had been chosen by God to be King of Israel, though he knew ultimate victory was his, still the daily battle was wearing.

Like him, the believer today must face the day-to-day skirmishes that dog his heels. Like him, the believer today must wage continual warfare against the relentless foe who would rejoice in seeing him fail to achieve the purposes of God for his life. And like David, the man of faith today will achieve his victory!

Stay strong, Believer! Though the enemy assails on every hand, do not surrender! Though family and friend may oppose you, stay strong! Though governments may oppose you, stay strong! Though the arsenals of hell itself may be aimed at you, stay strong! "Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me," Psalm 23:4.

The Christ you love and serve is greater than every foe you face. Indeed, His Word that cannot fail and cannot lie assures, "Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world," I John 4:4. The Holy One encourages you through His apostle, "Be not weary in well-doing, for in due season you shall reap if you do not give up," Galatians 6:9.

Continue to "fight the good fight of faith," I Timothy 6:12, holding fast to the truth you have received. You know in the depth of your heart that "the One who has called you is faithful," I Thessalonians 5:24, and "He will perfect that which concerns you," Psalm 138:8.