Holdin’ On

Well, now, how ‘bout it, friend? Come on up here on this front porch, have one o’ them warm, cathead biscuits with strawberry jelly on it, and settle yourself down a spell ‘cause Hebrews 4:14–16 is strollin’ in like a wise ol’ barn owl that’s done seen every storm roll across the valley an’ is still perchin’ purty steady on the same branch. This passage reminds us, “Since we’ve got a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, who’s gone through the heavens, we can hold firmly to the faith we profess.” And, friend, that there ain’t some flimsy, blindfolded, cross‑your‑fingers kind o’ faith. It’s the kind o’ faith that’s anchored in Someone who knows exactly what it feels like to walk ‘round this ol’ world in our skin.

Jesus plumb knows what it is to be human. He knows what it’s like to be tempted, to be tired, to be hurt, to be abandoned, to be misunderstood, and to be pushed past the point where most folks would’ve thrown in the towel. He knows what it’s like to stare down sin and say “no,” and He knows what it’s like to stare down death and say, “not today,” ‘cause He was victorious over death and the grave. So, when the author of Hebrews tells us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” he ain’t handin’ out some purty church slogan. Nope. He’s givin’ us permission to walk right up to God without flinchin’, without fearin’, and without wonderin’ if we’re ‘bout to git scolded real good.

An’ what happens when we come? We don’t git no judgment. We don’t git no lecture. We don’t git no cold shoulder. We git mercy. We git grace. We git some real help in our time of need, and, friend, all that there amazin’ lovin’ is sho’-nuff’ better than findin’ a flashlight that actually works when the power goes out at midnight.

So, when your heart starts to racin’ and your thoughts start to spinnin’, hold on real tight. When you feel all alone and the shadows get mighty long, hold on real tight. When the news sounds like a scary tornado siren and panic tries to set up camp in your chest, hold on real tight. When anger rises or bitterness starts bubblin’ like a pot left on the stove too long, hold on real tight. Hold on real tight to His mercy. Hold on real tight to His grace. They don’t git to wobblin’, they don’t git to weakenin’, an’ they sho’-nuff’ don’t run out either.

Father, I come to You and hold on today. I thank You that You’re the great High Priest who never sinned but became the perfect sacrifice for mine. I place my faith in You, and I come to Your throne of grace with confidence. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that always meet me in my time of need. In Jesus; name, Amen.

Now, friend, as you’re gittin’ on back into your daily chores, remember that you ain’t  holdin’ on to no thin air. You’re holdin’ on to the One who’s already walked your road, carried your burdens, and beat every battle you’ll ever face. His grace is mighty steady. His mercy is mighty strong. An’ His arms are more than enough to keep you from fallin’, even when life starts shakin’ like a loose porch screen in one o’ them ol’ Texas sandstorms.

With joy,

Gwen