Cling

God created us with a void only He can fill. There is a yearning within us we search all our lives to satisfy. Most commonly I try to squeeze earthly things into this space: possessions, accomplishments, relationship. These things are of this broken world and will let me down. God placed within me a desire to be wanted, to be chosen, to be secure. 

His promise:

I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Isaiah 41:9-10, 13 NLT/MSG

He says over and over that He is with me and will hold me up. But I have to reach for Him. 

Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!

Deuteronomy 6:5 MSG

Give it everything you have, heart and soul.

Joshua 1:6 MSG

 When I am searching all over this creation for something to fill me up, I have searched too far. This passage became real for me recently:

1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. 6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.

Ps 63:1-7 NLT

But it was not because I related to wanting God in that way. It was because I wanted other things that way. If I am putting anything but God is in those passages, I have set up for myself an idol. His is the only love that is steadying, unending, life-giving and unfailing.

I kept reading, hoping for something to redeem my idolatry. 

I cling to you;  your strong right hand holds me securely. Ps 63:8 NLT

Clinging. When I think of the word "clinging" I think of someone holding on for dear life. Then I read these verses and the image of God holding on to me kept flashing through my mind.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand...13 For I hold you by your right hand...

Isaiah 41:10b, 13

He is holding on to me. It's my choice whether to cling to Him or let go.