Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’
Today I attended a graduation ceremony for one of my church family from a Christian school. There were many wonderful speeches during the ceremony, but something said in one of them struck me. There was a reference to the above verse during a speech advising all the graduates to “hold fast”. This verse, as well as the Sabbath School lesson we did yesterday, have spoken to my heart.
Idols are anything, anything that comes between us and God. We often hold on to things in this world. This world puts so many things out there that pull at us. Food, clothes, cars, TV, jobs, jewelry, awards, money to name a few. Things of this world are so attractive and appealing we can easily get lost in them.
We all have a choice to make every day. Will we choose to give up the things of this world for an eternity with Him, or will we choose to hang on to things of this world for the temporary feelings and attraction they bring? Do we even think about temporary versus eternal? How do we hold fast with all the inviting things this world throws at us?
Then I think of Job. He lost everything he had in this world. He suffered pain, anguish, loss, disease. The amazing thing is, he held fast to God through it all. Job 1:22 states “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong”. The hardest thing to do is hold fast to Him through the lowest times of our lives but when we do, He will restore us. Not necessarily in this world but in His. His eternal kingdom of peace, grace, and love.
Hold fast. Look beyond this world to the promise of an eternity in the most wonderful place beyond our imagination. Hold fast to Him.