“When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives,.. I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel…
“Elijah said, ‘Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said.., ‘I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho…
“Then Elijah said, ‘Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said,.. ‘I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on… Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted.., till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.’ And Elisha said, ‘Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.’” 2 Kings 2:1-2,4,6,8-9
“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day… Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” Genesis 32:24,26
“Then they… wept again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and gods; return after [her].‘ But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.'” Ruth 1:14-16
Several are the examples in scripture of tenacious clinging on the part of people of faith to those with ability to impart favor and strength. It is clear that these recipients of God’s love and calling know that their wherewithal, their source and means of going forth, is the God who leads them. Their faith in heavenly promise compels them to cling to the Promise-keeper, and not advance one step or day without Him at the helm. The key to their persistent faith is unrivaled confidence in who God is and what He has said. Personality and circumstances aside, they are singly focused on the journey with their Lord.
Do I have such priority and passion? Many are the allures of this world that pledge to give fulfillment and satisfaction, to flesh out desires in life experience. Many are the excuses we make for choosing paths of least resistance and inconvenience. To any number of these manufactured ‘needs’ we clench tightly, rendering our hands unable to receive the Lord’s richer, greater blessings.
Nothing offers the adventure and deep meaning of journeying with the Lord. Pilgrims in this beautiful land, we tread on to an even more beautiful one when we cling to Him. How broad and long is our view of daily living? Are we driven by immediate pressures and impulses, or a view and hunger for everlasting? Do we prefer to pursue empty promises of this world, or divine promises of the next? What passions and occupations do we need to relinquish in order to be filled with the Spirit and pursue Him and His purposes?
Lord, may I cling every day to Your promises and path, for Your glory.
As the rain and snow 