Yet Shall the Righteous Hold on His Way.
Genuine religion is characterized by its power of persistence, which comes from a God-given faith and is sustained by Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the enduring nature of genuine faith, asserting that true religion is marked by its ability to persist through trials and challenges. He explains that while superficial faith may falter, a deep-rooted faith in God will withstand all storms, as believers are held securely by Jesus, who is their Shepherd. Meyer encourages the faithful to recognize their purpose in glorifying Christ and highlights the Holy Spirit's role in sustaining a holy life within them. He concludes by affirming that God's grace empowers believers to persevere until they reach heaven.
Text
Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. Job xvii. 9 (R.V.).
WHEN the real life of God enters the soul, it persists there. Genuine religion is shown by its power of persistence. Anything short of a Godgiven faith will sooner or later fail. It may run well for a time, but its pace will inevitably slacken till it comes to a stand. The youths faint and are weary, and the young men utterly fall. The seed sown on the rock springs up quickly, and as quickly dies down and perishes. But where there is the rooting and grounding in God, there is a perpetuity and persistence which outlives all storms and survives all resistance.
You shall hold on your way because Jesus holds you in his strong hand. He is your Shepherd; He has vanquished all your foes, and you shall never perish.
You shall hold on your way because the Father has designed through you to glorify his Son; and there must be no gaps in his crown where jewels ought to be.
You shall hold on your way because the Holy Spirit has deigned to make you his residence and home; and He is within you the perennial spring of a holy life.
It is said that there was once a debate in heaven, as to which kind of life needed most of God's grace. That of a man who after a lifetime of gross sins was converted at the eleventh hour, or of a man that for his whole career had been kept from destruction. And finally the latter was agreed to be the most conspicuous miracle. And there is no doubt that this is so. Yet for this also shall God's grace avail: and He shall enable thee to hold on thy way till heaven open to thee.
Sermon Outline
- The Persistence of Genuine Religion
- The Reasons for Persistence
- Jesus holds us in his strong hand
- The Father has designed us to glorify his Son
- The Holy Spirit resides within us as the perennial spring of a holy life
Key Quotes
“Anything short of a God-given faith will sooner or later fail.” — F.B. Meyer
“You shall hold on your way because Jesus holds you in his strong hand.” — F.B. Meyer
“The Holy Spirit has deigned to make you his residence and home; and He is within you the perennial spring of a holy life.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- You can hold on to your faith because of Jesus' strong hand and the Father's design for your life.
- The Holy Spirit resides within you and can empower you to live a holy life.
- God's grace will avail for your life, even if you have been kept from destruction throughout your career.