A Vice-Like Grip

UV 940/10,000 Gripping the Lord For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. Jeremiah 13 v 11 As a girdle or belt clings to the waist of a man, so we should cleave or cling to the Lord. Jacob could have been tossed aside by the mighty angel of the Lord as he clung tightly to the latter as he wrestled with him but seeing his zeal, the Lord blessed him and gave him a new name as a mark of distinction and destiny, Israel. Similarly, the Lord loves to wrestle playfully with the children. He wants to test if we will hold on or we would give up easily. He rewards our persistence in prayer and our spiritual life. Shivaji, the Maratha king used a monitor lizard to scale the walls of a fort. The monitor lizard has a fantastic grip on any surface and holds on relentlessly regardless of how much it is tugged or pulled in any direction once it fastens its grip. Similarly, believers need to have a monitor-like grip on the Lord. He desires that we first be a people of wrestling prayer like Israel and to also be a people of praise like the house of Judah. His perfect will is that we be a people unto Him for His praise, renown and honour. Prayer and praise helps us to fasten our grip on the Lord. These become siege weapons to overcome the wiles of the enemy. The uni-verse ends on a note of regret of the Lord that though this was His desire and this was the potential of His people, they never heard His Word or heeded His advice. As a consequence, they left their girdle unused and hidden in a hole in a rock. Their faith was dormant and buried under their day- to- day concerns and preoccupation. As a result, their belt of faith and truth became ruined and useless. It could no longer hold up the armour of faith, the clothes of salvation. Instead, He exhorts us to return to the spirit of prayer, praise and thanksgiving for blessings already received and long enjoyed. We must cling to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah and the Lord will reveal His amazing power, grace and mercy that will work out for His glory, honour and renown. Prateep V Philip