Tuesday's Tidbit

Deuteronomy 11:22

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Good morning, one and all!

In our verse today, one word stands out to me: cleave - what does the word cleave mean? According to one dictionary, it means to "to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly". The definition for the word adhere is "to stay attached; stick fast". In other words, we can conclude by the instruction of this verse that we are to diligently (or constantly and persistently) keep the commandments of the Lord our God; to walk in HIS ways, and to stay attached to Him. 

Many years after the book of Deuteronomy was written, the Apostle Paul admonished the church in similar words:

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

We are seeing a disturbing decline of godly morals and principles in our world today. Things that were once held dear are now tossed aside for trinkets that have no value. It's heartbreaking to us, and how much more must it break the heart of God. In the midst of immorality and self-appeasing lifestyles, we must adhere or cleave to our God - like glue. Cling to Him. Hold Him fast. Maintain our integrity with God. 

When I was very young, my parents introduced this hymn to me. It has quite a message:

Hold Fast to the Right

Verse One

Kneel down by the side of your mother, my boy 
You have only a moment I know 
But stay till I give you this parting advice 
It is all that I have to bestow

Chorus 
Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right 
Wherever your footsteps may roam 
Forsake not the way of salvation, my boy 
That you learned from your mother at home

Verse Two

You will leave here to seek your employment, my boy 
By the world you have yet to be tried 
But in the temptations and trials you will meet 
May your heart to the Savior confide

Verse Three

I gave you to God in your cradle, my boy 
And taught you the best that I knew 
And as long as His mercies permit me to live 
I shall never stop praying for you

Verse Four

You will find in your satchel a Bible, my boy 
It's the book of all others, the best 
It will help you to live and prepare you to die 
And lead to the gates of the blessed

Our Lord Jesus Christ will soon return for His church. We must hold firm to Him, and His commandments!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing.............