1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
—The words of the writer of Hebrews from Hebrews 3:1-6
One of the most dramatic moments in movies and on television occurs when someone hangs over the edge of a cliff or over the edge of a tall building. Often another actor grips the hand or arm of the person dangling over the great height. I’ve often wondered if the fate of the person in danger rests with the mood of the screenwriter. It seems in some instances the person gets pulled to safety. In other instances he or she plunges to his or her death.
During filming, of course, the camera operator shoots the entire scene with the camera tilted ninety degrees. The actor dangling over the edge actually lays flat on a horizontal surface. The computer-generated imagery (CGI) later adds the details to make the final spine-tingling shot.
Life does not imitate art—at least in this case. When the circumstances of our lives push us over the edge, we do not rest on a horizontal plane with the “camera” that’s viewing us tilted at a right angle. No, we truly hang over the precipice with only moments before our hand tires and cramps and we finally release our grasp and fall to our “death.” At least that’s what it feels like.
Maybe you’ve lost your job. Or, your spouse has left you. Or, your children have turned their backs on you. Or, your finances have taken a tumble. Or, your church—instead of supporting you in your time of trial—has turned its back on you. Maybe the ministry that you thought God had given you has dried up. You’ve tried to remain faithful, but no one seems to value your gifts or your determination to serve wholeheartedly. People you thought were your friends now sneer at you and call you names behind your back.
Whatever circumstances of your life have brought you to the point where you hang over the edge, the truth remains that God has His loving arms around you supporting you and waiting to catch you if you can’t stand the pain any longer.
In the Scripture passage at the beginning of this blog post, the writer of Hebrews celebrates the fact that we who follow the Lord Jesus Christ “share in the heavenly calling.” The writer urges us to “fix your thoughts on Jesus.” He then makes a comparison to Moses—remember that the writer has penned this letter to the Jewish believers. And, he concludes with these potent words:
But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
Amazing! We are Christ’s house. We are the ones He has been “building!” We can remain—abide, dwell, continue, tarry, endure, stand—steadfast “if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”
If you hang over the precipice today, hold on! That’s right: hold on! Hold on to your faith. Hold on to your trust. Hold on to your determination to stay close. Hold on to a clear mind and an open heart. Hold on to the truth of God’s Word. Hold on to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hold on to the love that comes to you from God. Hold on to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why? Because He is holding on to you. He has you covered. He has you protected. He has you in His strength. He has you on the pathway that He has laid out for you. He shines the Light of His Presence around you, so that you do not walk in darkness.
Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!
Will you pray with me?
Thank You, God, for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
Precious Father, we hold on to Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We hold on to the love that You pour out on us abundantly. No matter how dreary, dark, and lonely the circumstances of our lives may seem to be, we know that Jesus holds on to us. He has built us. We are His house. He dwells within us by the loving, caring presence of the Holy Spirit.
In our desperation, Father, please give us the Light of Christ’s Presence to illuminate our pathway. Please give us the courage that we do not have. Please give us the strength and determination to hold on to You. Please open up a clear, straight pathway that we may follow. Please return our joy to us. Please continue to guard us and guide us.
With anticipation in our hearts, we thank You, Gracious Father, for hearing our prayer in and through the powerful Name of Your Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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