His face showed signs of worry. Could he walk another step, another mile? Will the donkey’s weak back and tired legs hold out until the end of this journey?
And precious Mary, precious Mary. Her back ached. Swollen ankles. The pressure of the coming child. Her baby. God’s Son. One more day. Could she hold on one more day?
And Joseph, this caring, loving, devoted man walked on–blisters, feet worn.
He’s coming.
One more day.
Hold on.
Just one more day.
Hold on.
Rahab, the prostitute, a woman in Jesus’ family tree. Her story–her assurance in her family’s safety was not determined by her faith in the red rope that swayed outside her window. Her faith was not in the soldier’s promises. She held on to her only hope, the blessed hope–the one the red rope represented and that was God.
Joshua 2:11-13–And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Joshua 2:18–Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
Joshua 2:21– And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
There are days when we will ask ourselves, can we make it another day? And why, why are we holding on? Will today have any good news? Will tomorrow come? Wars, riots, the hurting of children, women, men, cancer, broken hearts, sickness, pain, death……
Our livest can feel like a tornado spinning, taking us down into a deep, dark hole….when we can’t take another tragedy…another senseless death…another breaking news report….when troubles and sickness overwhelm our hearts, cloud our minds
HOLD ON.
THERE IS HOPE.
Jeremiah 17:7—Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
John 14: 1-3–Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Hold on when your child is sick
Hold on when problems of this world leave your heart empty
Hold on when you are planning a funeral for a love one
Hold on when the medical reports confirm–cancer–heart attack–dementia–disease…
Hold on when someone you love walks away
Hold on when your child leaves for college
Hold on when you lose your job
Hold on when the refrigerator is bare and the paycheck never seems to be enough
Hold on
Hold on to Him
Hold on to the Blessed Hope
Titus 2:13—Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ
He is coming.
One more day.
Hold on.
How to be a gift this Christmas
Be kind
Serve
Love
All scriptures referenced are from the KJV Bible.