Stand Firm and Hold Tight

What did you do?  Wasn't it boring?

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold [tightly] to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.  (2 Thess 2:15 AMP)

As we sat down with our 2 amazing children to discuss our holiday plans, we  told them of our intention to keep an eye on their gadget time throughout the holiday.  The look on their faces showed disappointment, frustration and shock.  Immediately, they challenged the idea, "But we’re on holiday, and it’s not school time.  We have unlimited Wi-Fi.  What will we do?  We'll be bored!"  The list continued.

We felt their frustration at having their holiday plans disrupted: playing their favourite online games and watching their favourite TV programmes all day long.

“What did you do when you were young?  Wasn’t it boring?” they asked

We acknowledged how challenging it must be for them to make good choices and manage their time considering everything else around them and all that is on offer.   This is a very different environment to the one that some of us grew up in, where there was no internet and we played games in the street with friends before coming back home to take a bath, eat and sleep.

I love change and appreciate the technological developments that have happened since then, including the possibility of connecting with so many people despite the physical distance.  However, reflecting on our discussion, it made me think about what traditions we hold on to and the distractions surrounding us which can make us drift off. 

I have some biblical teachings and traditions that have withstood the passage of time and which have kept me going in my Christian walk.   It hasn't been easy all the time and life has brought its own challenges and storms, but I have kept holding on to the promises of God.  At times I felt like giving up, but you, my church family, cheered me on, and I am encouraged when I see you holding on to the word of God and to biblical teachings.

In the passage above, Paul encourages the church in Thessalonica to stand firm and hold [tightly] to the traditions which they were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from him and other apostles.  (2 Thess 2:15 AMP)

They, and you, are advised to hold fast as if there is a force trying to pull them so they lose their grip from a place of safety. 

But if everything is fine, no storm, no bumpy road, why would you still hold firmly?  The word of God is our ‘go to’ and our source of tradition.  We hold on to the word of God and build our foundation on Christ Jesus, who is the Word (John 1:1).  Seasons come and go, technology is always changing, even heaven and earth will pass, but His word endures forever.

I can imagine what the conversations between my children and the next generation might be like.  They might be shocked that we drove cars at 70 mph, or asked Alexa to turn on the music.  But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  We can trust Him and hold onto Him.

We should not be swayed, intimidated, convinced or brainwashed by outside forces to go against the truth, which is the word.  Just as sailors throughout history have been taught to hold tight to the ship's ropes in order to survive the storm at sea, we hold tight and anchor our faith on His word.

I am encouraged by Hezekiah who held on to God and didn't depart from His commandments.

He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.  (2 Kings 18:5-7 NKJV)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  (Heb 10:23 NKJV)

STAND FIRM and HOLD TIGHT