A Father was carrying his little boy across a swiftly flowing river. The little chap had his arms around his father’s neck and the father’s strong arms were holding fast to his treasure. As they reached the center of the river, the father called out, “Hold fast, Sonny,” and the little arms clung closer. The father loved to feel that hug. It told him of the love and confidence of his little son. But he knew it wasn’t that which kept him safe, but his own firm hold on his son.
The son he carried was his delight and he could say, “He is precious in my sight, I will hold him fast.” It is just like that with us, and the more we realize what we are to the Lord Jesus, and how precious we are to Him, the more we shall be assured that He will hold us fast.
But we also love to hear Him say, “Hold fast, Cleave to Me,” and the knowledge of what we are to Him will not make us careless, but we shall be more careful not to grieve Him. I wonder, dear young Christian, if you have ever realized that you are very dear to the Lord. He values you as one who came to Him in your need, and as the gift of the Father to Him, and as the purchase of His own precious blood.
It is perfectly true when you sing
“I am precious in His sight,
He will hold me fast;
Those He saves are His delight,
He will hold me fast.
For my Saviour loves me so,
He will hold me fast!”
ML 01/22/1961