“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:23-25
I am so thankful for the challenge in these verses to “hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm.” I see at least three things we can glean from them so we can “hold tightly” in our own lives. They are so incredibly important for the times we are living in.
I don’t know how your 2020 is shaping up, but mine somewhat resembles the Titanic tragedy! I never would have hoped for or dreamt of what we are experiencing in these days. Reading the following excerpt from one of my devotional books challenged my heart. (The One Year Christian History, by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten)
Holding Tightly While Sinking
“710 people survived while at least 1500 died in the aftermath and sinking of the Titanic. Many holding tightly to floating debris, or overfilled life boats. One man, John Harper had a strong desire to win souls to Christ. An evangelist friend, W.D. Dunn, recalled often seeing Harper lying on his face before God, pleading with him to “give me souls, or I die,” sobbing as if his heart would break. Harper’s church in Scotland pleaded with him not to return to Chicago, but to no avail. Harper felt there was a divine purpose for his trip, and Harper went on with his plans.
The night before the Titanic sank, Harper was seen leading a man to Christ on the deck. Afterward, he looked west, and seeing a glint of red in the sunset he said, “It will be beautiful in the morning.” Moments later the Titanic struck an iceberg, and the sea poured in. Mayhem ensued as most people struggled to save their own lives. As they loaded the lifeboats, John Harper shouted, “Let the women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats.” He then removed his life preserver and gave it to another man.
At 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, the Titanic disappeared beneath the water. Harper and many others were left floundering in icy waters. One man, who was holding tightly to a piece of wood, saw Harper struggling in the water. Harper shouted, “Are you saved?” When the man answered no, Harper quoted Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” The man did not respond, and they lost sight of each other. A few minutes later the current brought them back together again. Harper asked the same question again, urging the man to believe in Jesus, and received the same answer again. Harper then slipped beneath the water, never to resurface. The man did put his faith in Jesus Christ and was later rescued by a lifeboat. He testified that he was John Harper’s last convert.
After the sinking of the ship, relatives and friends of the passengers gathered outside the White Star office in Liverpool, England. As news came in about the passengers, names were placed on one of two lists, “Known to Be Saved,” or “Known to Be Lost.” The voyage had begun with three classes of passengers, but now it was reduced to only two — saved or lost. John Harper’s name was placed on the list for those “Known to Be Lost,” but it was on the “Saved” list in heaven.”
While using this illustration, please know that in no way do I think we are on a sinking ship. Quite the opposite, actually. God is at the helm and we are headed in the right direction — we are on a ship that will never fail. However, I do think these are desperate times and call for men and women who are willing to hold tightly to the things of God.
What We Can Glean
Let me take you back to the verses from Hebrews and the three things we can glean from them in order to “hold tightly.”
- God is a promise keeper and will do everything He says He’s going to do.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” — Hebrews 10:23
- Motivate one another. We are called to encourage one another.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” — Hebrews 10:24
- Let us not neglect our meeting together. Be with God’s people!
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:25
We are surrounded by people drowning apart from Christ. Let’s teach them to “hold tightly” to Christ, all while doing the same ourselves.
“Hold tightly!” It will be beautiful in the morning!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor