Thinking of Christ as our anchor, we often picture storms raging. Tossed about in the chaos, we think of clinging to Him. Our hands burn, grasping, struggling, to hold on. But picture this wonderful truth: as we’re holding, we’re also held. Our anchor is bound inseparably to our soul.
Likewise, as we lean into the hard and heavy, forging our way along a difficult path, we’re often reaching out to see if God is there with us.
But He, in fact, goes before us, with us, and behind us.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” –Deuteronomy 31:8
“For the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” -Isaiah 52:12
If the Lord will never leave us, then indeed we are not alone. We are not forsaken by our anchor or abandoned by our guide along the unknown path. Our light will not go out nor will our protector fail to have the victory in the end.
It’s so easy to look upon the goodness and the kindness of the Lord in wonder, and miss that the things He kindly does for us are not dependent on us.
This isn’t an excuse to live flippantly or to believe that the Lord will reward us for taking advantage of His grace. But it certainly is a comfort, and a shift in perspective we often need when we feel like we just have to try harder or hold on tighter.
“Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
Amy Carmichael once described that when the going was rough, the trouble “was His burden not mine. It was He who was asking me to share it with Him, not I who was asking Him to share it with me.”
Sweet relief.
The nature of our God is compassionate. Loving. Hopeful. Gracious. Merciful. Kind. Stable. Steady. Click To TweetIn all that you and I grasp at and cling to, just trying to hold on, we can know that we will not be abandoned or put to shame. We can be certain that we will never be lost, even when we lose hold.
We are held by one who does not let go, even when we do. Praise the Lord!
{A version of this post was originally published here}
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LINKUP is open! This Thanksgiving week, join my friend @BethanyMcIlrath as she writes about something to be indeed grateful for: the fact that God holds us even when we don't hold on to Him! Join us? Click To Tweet
Such a blessing to know that I’m held safe because of His strength, love, and faithfulness.
Amen! Praising Him with you!
Bethany,
When I read your post, the image I had in my mind was that of a mother cat holding one of her kittens, in her mouth, by the scruff of his neck. So thankful that when I can’t hold onto God, He still has a firm hold on me and it has everything to do with His goodness, not mine.
Blessings,
Bev xx
What a lovely image, Bev!
Truth >>> “We are held by one who does not let go, even when we do.”
Blessings,
Joanne
Praise Him!!
How refreshing to remember that God is always our anchor! I don’t need to hold on to everything. In fact, I should let go and hold on to Him.
Makes me think of Laura Story’s song about giving up : )
I’m so thankful his kindnesses aren’t dependent on us! It’s just his nature. I am thankful for that.
I’m thankful about that with you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Bethany, what a wonderful reminder of His gracious character. Thank you.
Thanks, Debbie! Praising Him!
We’re still in His grip when we loose our own. Love this. laurensparks.net
Thanks, Lauren!
So comforting that our God is stable when we’re on shaky ground. Love this thought and tweet: “ Even when we let go, Christ our anchor’s hold is still strong. We’re still in His grip when we lose our own.”
Thanks, Karen! I’m so thankful for His hold!