“and you hold fast My name” Rev.2:13
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope” Heb. 10:23
“holding fast the faithful word” Titus 1:9
“hold fast the pattern of sound words” 2 Tim. 1:13
“hold fast to that which is good” 1 Thess. 5:21
“hold fast until I come.” Rev. 2:25
When you study the life of Jacob you can see how from the human perspective he was not a great candidate to be used by God as a leader.
His very name means supplanter or schemer, and that is exactly what he was.
However, he did have one quality that his elder brother Esau did not have, and that is he could hold fast and not let go.
Esau easily gave up his birthright in a pinch because of mere hunger (Gen.25:29-34), a privilege that would have allowed him to receive a double portion of the family inheritance, and upon the death of his father the position as family leader.
When given the offer Jacob seized it, and never let it go. We see this further illustrated in Jacob’s life when he is wrestling with an angel, a Divine confrontation that he could not win, but would be honored for, because of his persistence. The angel says, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Gen. 32:26) The result is that he is blessed with a name change that removes the stigma of being called a supplanter and given the new name Israel “he who strives with God.”
What is my prayer for you? I pray that you fasten your grip with the same persistence that Jacob had. I pray you lay hold of the living God and never let go of Him, for He has promised more than a double portion of an inheritance to His children. Hold fast to the things of value and do not let Satan take from you what is precious. You have heard of a death grip, well today take hold with a life-grip. “When we hold Christ by our faith, He holds us by His power.”
Love, Pastor Bob
