Hold On

There are many times when we feel close to God and everything seems perfect.  Life is wonderul, nothing can take this feeling away.  Your life feels worthy.  You feel as if you could climb any mountain that lies in your path. We have found ourself in Christ.  Life is good.

BUT, what happens when things go the other way.  When the storms come in life, and try to blow us from the foundation of God.  Life hurts, we feel pushed, we feel tempted, we give in, we begin to feel unworthy.  When the rivers of life poor on us, we feel pushed away from God.  This is when life becomes confusing and we might lose our direction. And then fear sets in.....  Put yourselves in the shoes of a young child for a second.  As a child might lose sight of their parents at a busy shopping center.  How would they feel? They become paniced, scared, hurt. LOST.  Why?  Because what you value most at that point in time is being surrounded by the love and safety of a parent.  But when it is out of sight, then reality begins to set it.  The absense of God shows what we really desire in life.  To be next to God. 

So in response as child what do we do?  First thing is we hold on to the hope that we will find that comforting presence again.  Its that hope and deep desire of finding God (parents) that pushes us to CRY OUT.  That when they hear our voice and come running back to us.  As Isreal cied ou in their bondage, God heard and rescued them (Ezekeal 2 and 3).  Rescue in Coming!

If life is going bad, don't lose hope.  Don't let go, Hold On! 

Isaiah 43:1,"Don't be afraid, for I will protect you.

I call you by name, you are mine.

43:2 When you pass through the waters, I am with you;

when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not harm you.

43:3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer.

Exodus 6 'I am the Lord. I will bring you out from your enslavement to the Egyptians, I will rescue you from the hard labor they impose, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.