Holding Firm to God (Hebrews 4:14)

Prayer: Father, we are Your children and You are our Father. Just as You were determined to bring salvation, help us also to remain in You with the same determination and perseverance. Grant us the resolve and prayerful dedication we need to be united with You and for Your will to be fully accomplished in our lives. We thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Throughout the life of Moses, one key truth stands out: "Holding firmly to God." Hebrews 4:14 says, “Let us hold firmly to what we confess.” Hebrews 10:23 urges us to hold unwaveringly to the hope we profess. We must hold firmly to our faith. In 1 Timothy 3:9, we are told to hold to the mystery of faith—that is, to firmly grasp it. We are also commanded to hold tightly to the Word of God. To rebuke those who oppose it, one needs strength in teaching. We must cling to sound doctrine, as mentioned in Titus 2:7—stand firm in good works. According to Hebrews 3:6, we must hold on to courage and joy. Do not throw away your confidence.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing, meaning we must not give up the habit of prayer. Verse 22 warns us to stay far from every kind of evil. If someone has left what is wrong, they must not return to it. Proverbs 4:16 speaks of those who cannot sleep without doing evil. We must not be like them—stay firmly on the right path.

Revelation 2:25 says, “Hold on to what you have until I come.” And Revelation 2:13 says, “You held fast to My name and did not deny your faith in Me.” These are the marks of those who are faithful.

Who Are Christians?

1. Children of God – By heavenly relationship.
• John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
• Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
2. Disciples – Through knowledge of God’s Word.
• John 8:31–32 – “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
3. spiritual richness –
• Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth...”
• Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt...”
4. Pilgrims (Sojourners) – Unattached to worldly things.
• Hebrews 11:13 – “...They acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
• 1 Peter 2:11 – “I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh...”
5. Bearers of Light – Called to spread Christ’s light.
• Matthew 5:14–16 – “You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others...”
• Philippians 2:15 – “...shine as lights in the world.”
6. Soldiers – Enduring in spiritual warfare.
• 2 Timothy 2:3 – “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
• Ephesians 6:10–18 – “Put on the whole armor of God...”

Postures of Prayer – Biblical and Historical Examples:

1. Kneeling – Genesis 24:26 (Eleazar)
2. Kneeling with head between knees – 1 Kings 18:42 (Elijah)
3. Falling face down – Matthew 26:39 (Jesus in Gethsemane)
4. Standing with head bowed – Luke 18:13 (The tax collector)
5. Standing with eyes lifted to heaven – Psalm 121:1, John 11:41 (Jesus)
6. On one knee – Acts 9:40 (Peter), inspired by tradition (Sadhu Sundar Singh)
7. Leaning full body on head – Not directly in Scripture, noted in church history (e.g., Father.M.Devadasu )
8. Lifting hands and praying – 1 Timothy 2:8, Psalm 134:2, Exodus 17:11
9. Kneeling posture in prayer – Acts 20:36, Acts 21:5, James (tradition: "camel knees" due to prayer)

Three Great Wonders of the Christian Life:

1. That we should be called children of God –
• 1 John 3:1 – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God...”
2. That we are now the children of God –
• 1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God’s children now...”
• Galatians 3:26 – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
3. That we shall be like Him at His coming –
• 1 John 3:2 – “...when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”
• Philippians 3:20–21 – “...the Lord Jesus Christ... will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body...”

According to 1 John 1:3 – “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

Story of Moses: Because of this boy, a great blessing came to his people. The very king who gave the order to kill the children ended up protecting Moses for 40 years. He even paid wages to Moses' mother to take care of him and ensured his safety. The crocodiles that could have harmed the basket in the river were powerless—God protected Moses from all danger.

Pharaoh’s daughter saw that Moses was beautiful. This physical beauty was a natural gift Moses possessed. But beyond that, Moses was divinely beautiful—a beauty of glory, which his mother also recognized (Acts 7:20). In the enemy’s palace, Moses received nourishment, education, eloquence in speech, and skill in action. All these were divinely allowed and arranged.

Miriam: Miriam was the one who helped save Moses. Though she was only a little girl, she went and brought his own mother to nurse him. The act might seem small, but it was truly significant. God, who prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and teaches divine wisdom, is also the one who can turn our tears into tears of joy.

A Hebrew boy was accepted by a royal princess. Even the king did not get angry with her for adopting the boy. This was because God was behind the scene. In the midst of enemies, God protected Moses.

No matter what story is told from the Bible, it should never be concluded without pointing to Jesus Christ.

Moses’ mother carefully prepared the basket and hid him in it. But ultimately, it was God who protected both mother and child. Outwardly it looked like the mother was saving him, but inwardly, God was at work. The very daughter of the king who could have posed a threat became the protector through whom God saved Moses.

God is the one who delivers us from danger and helps us in times of need. Since Moses was in God’s plan, the Lord saved him from all harm. Moses grew up in Pharaoh's palace for 40 years and then spent 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep. He is the forerunner of the Old Covenant.

Though trials and dangers came, they could not destroy God’s plan. Moses, who was part of that divine plan, could not be killed. Jesus Christ is the forerunner of the New Covenant. In the wilderness journey, some perished, but others reached the promised land of Canaan. Similarly, through Christ, some will be saved and enter the New Jerusalem.

Just as Moses was placed in a basket, Jesus Christ was laid in a manger. Only when divine purpose and faith work together does the will of God come to pass. If one is missing, fulfillment will not happen. No matter how many evil plans Satan devises, God's plan will always be fulfilled. When divine purpose is revealed and faith is ready, the fulfillment will be immediate. Moses’ parents placed him in the basket and hid him because they had strong faith. That faith became the reason for his preservation.

God made the Israelites cross the Red Sea, rescued them, and destroyed their enemies. In their time of danger, God saved them. Likewise, He will protect us until we reach the New Jerusalem. Our faith will be tested in times of trouble. God allowed the Egyptians to pursue the Israelites for a while and then stopped them—not to harm, but to establish His people in faith. Once our faith is fully matured, He will deliver us.

Blessing: May the Lord delivers us every day during these 40 days of meditation, and may He strengthen our faith continually. Amen.