I have two things to share with you this morning.
The first is the link to the sermon Matt preached last Sunday morning at his church, The Church at West Franklin, in Franklin, TN.
Please take 30 minutes to watch and listen with your Bible open. You'll hear once again the story of David and his sin against God with Bathsheba, but you'll also hear how God deals with our sins. It's powerful. It's important. I couldn't possibly say these things any better than Matt has.
Next I want to share the words to a hymn we'll be singing at my church this coming Sunday morning. As with so many hymns I learned during my childhood, there are repeated phrases that work their way into our souls. A few examples that still ring in my ear and heart --
"Love lifted me," "Nothing but the blood of Jesus," "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be," "This is my story, this is my song," "Great is Thy faithfulness," "Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever," Just as I am," and so many, many more.
I predict this newer hymn (copyrighted in 2013) will become one of those that continues to resonate into the next generation. The words to "He Will Hold Me Fast" were written by Ada Ruth Habershon.
Verse 1 -- When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast.
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path.
For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.
Verse 2 -- Those He saves are His delight, He will hold me fast.
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost, His promises shall last.
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
Refrain -- He will hold me fast; He will hold me fast.
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
Verse 3 -- For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast.
Justice has been satisfied, He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life. He will hold me fast.
Till our faith is turned to sight, He will hold me fast.
Refrain -- He will hold me fast; He will hold me fast.
For my Savior loves loves so, He will hold me fast.
What does it mean to hold something fast? Remain tightly secured, adhere, bind, bond.
I am 73 years old. For all of those 73 years, God has securely and tightly held me in His grasp. He held me in the past. He's holding me now. He'll keep holding me in the days I have remaining. And He will welcome me into His eternal presence when I die.
Listen to the sermon. Listen to the song if you've never heard it before -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUhgObW1lEg (This version is sung by Selah).
Let all of this sink into your heart today.
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