He Holds Me Fast (TT)

 

Fear of flying, fear of drowning, and fear of what's going to happen in the future can often paralyze a person.  Other kinds of fears can also make a believer in Jesus Christ doubt God's care.

The fears swirl around in our minds and we discuss about them with our friends and whomever else will listen.  The more one speaks about them the more we show our doubt in the Lord's preservation and care, Deborah Smith Pegues tells us.

By contrast,  we see the writer of Psalm 91 was very confident of God's protection and deliverance.  If you read verses 2, 5, 7, 11 and 14 you will see how the Lord held him fast, and how the psalmist trusted in God.  I especially like verse 14, which seems like God's answer.

"Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him, I will protect him, because he knows My name" (ESV).

This can put our minds to rest and then we can speak these Scriptures to continue the trust, and creating a reliance-on-the-Lord cycle, breaking the cycle of doubt, discouragement, and ungodly and unhealthy fear.

It doesn't necessarily mean all our troubles will evaporate, but we can trust and build faith.  When we speak with God's confidence it can encourage ourselves and of those with whom we speak.

Daniel's three friends, Shadraek, Meshach and Abednego, trusted God that no matter if He rescued them from the fiery furnace or not, they would still not doubt God's goodness but trust Him for the outcome.  They would NOT bow to the 'god' of Babylon nor to the 'god' of fear.  They would only fear and trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who was also their God.

What Deborah Smith Pegues says in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, is good.  She writes,

"Of course, merely knowing the promises of God is not enough; we must become proficient at declaring them.  Faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17).

Pegues also recommends memorizing verses related, such as the Psalm 91 ones.  When we have God's word firmly placed in our minds and hearts, the Holy Spirit can then use them in times of stress, trials and tribulation, whether you are flying, drowning or have an uncertain future.  These can be 'faith'-building moments.

I do realize this is often easier said than done.  My own heart sped up when I wrote that last paragraph and mentioned drowning.  So it is a challenge and if I must go out and about in a boat, I will be uneasy.  I hope I can remember these verses and put my trust in the Lord, declaring my faith in Him.

Here's one of Pegues' affirmations:

"I will declare my faith rather than discuss my doubts."

So which  Bible verse (s) will you choose to hold on to and declare with faith in the Lord?  Write them out and memorize them, Pegues suggests it.  Put your confidence in the Lord because He'll hold You fast.

Lord Jesus, thank You for holding me fast, teach me to hold You fast too.  I call on You now for this.  Help, Thou my unbelief.  In Your name I ask, amen.

                                              ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 11:23, Psalm 91:2, 5, 7, 11, and 14 ESV.  Also 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 27 - The Doubting Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, He Will Hold Me Fast, and By Faith, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.