He Will Hold Me Fast vss 1-2 by Ada Habershon, 1907. Vs 3 by Matt Merker, 2013.

Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold. Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

Observe: What wonderful consolation for today. Fearful people surround us, and we have our concerns too, but our one sure hope is that Christ holds us fast.

Jesus revealed his Father’s will when he said, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40, ESV). Although our faith may falter, our Heavenly Father has willed for us to have eternal life.

Should the tempter try to cause us to fear, Jesus said, “no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28b–30). Satan, the tempter, is created and finite. The Father and Son are uncreated and eternal. Therefore,

Refrain
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

One with the Father in power and strength, with love so deep that when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (John 13:1), do you think he cannot hold you fast?

Verse 2
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

Jesus delights in those he saves because they are a gift from his Father. As his image-bearers with souls that last into eternity, and given to him as a bride by his Father, each one Jesus redeems is precious to him. Do you think he will not hold you fast?

Verse 3
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight when He comes at last! 

The Bible reveals that God is infinite in mercy, patience, holiness and justice, all held in equal balance. How this balance is maintained in redemption is explained by the apostle Paul when he writes, in his divine forbearance (God) had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25b–26).

With mercy and patience, God held former sins in escrow until he could justly deal with them. On the cross, God the Son died for former sins, and all future sins of those who believe in him as Savior. God’s holiness requires justice, He justly punished sin, and by taking the punishment on himself, he is the justifier.

David writes, Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” (Psalm 16:9–10). Justice is satisfied by God in God. The Father raised the Son to life because justice was served. Do you think he will not raise you too? 

So, we need not have a spirit of fear. Instead, we are always of good courage, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:6–7).

I look forward to writing to you again on Monday when “The Song” returns. I’ll see you on Sunday if you tune in to the sermon on our website. Until then,

Blessings, Pastor Don.