Hi! And welcome back. I have to share something I just noticed today because it is a repeat of a lesson I learned more than a year ago and keep returning to because it’s so very blessed.
More than a year ago I was reading in the Gospel of John in the Message and the verses in John 6, specifically verses 35-38 in the Message. It’s all Jesus talking. He said…”Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.”
In the NIV, verses 37-40 look like this. “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
He’s got me. He’s proven it over and over. I can’t share every moment I’ve seen it, but I can tell you Trust Him. Ask Him to surprise you. Ask Him to confirm it for you.
When I went to Biblegateway today I saw that Jesus had repeated this assurance, the one about giving His people eternal life. This is John 10:28-30
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
To ‘hold on and not let go’ is the opposite of ‘drive away.’ To assure us no one will ‘snatch’ us out of His hand is even further assurance He has us.
I don’t know if these times are making you doubt or just not be glad about it, but you can be positive, He is very much with you if you have once upon a time, run to Him. And He will never, ever, let you go. Yes, you can turn away, but He’s always got you. He will woo you back. Just listen.
It’s no fairy tale. It’s so much better than any fairy tale. We have the One who is going to return. The One who is ‘at the gates.’ And He is sure to come and claim what belongs to Him. Don’t let go of your faith. It is all true. He is coming back. He has you now. He knows you now. Do you know Him?
Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, these words straight from your mouth are a lifeline. I cherish them. And I thank You for bringing them all to my mind over and over again just as assurance and just to encourage me. If anyone is reading these words, Lord, I pray. Help them to see it too. Help them to know You hold onto them too. All the glory is Yours, Lord. In Your Holy and Precious name, Amen.