Hold On!!

Written By courtney lowe

Rejoice Always – Part 10

Philippians 2:16-18 (NKJV)
"...holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me."

Part One: Paul Tells Them to Hold On

When someone says, "Hold on!" — it usually means something's about to happen:

  • On the phone: "Hold on" means wait.

  • On a rollercoaster: "Hold on" means ups, downs, and sudden turns are coming.

The Christian life is exactly like that. One moment, you’re testifying how good God is. The next, it feels like everything is falling apart.

We sometimes think following Jesus means smooth sailing. But real faith is about holding on when things get rough. That’s why Paul says, "Holding fast the word of life."

Paul describes himself being poured out as a drink offering, laboring so that believers would learn to hold on. The work of pastors, preaching, and the church is not about making everything easy. It’s about teaching people how to hold on.

When I was in McAllen, Texas, we talked about the rodeo. Rodeo riders don’t focus on looking good. It’s all about one thing: holding on.

Part Two: What It Means to Hold On

In relationships, being clingy might seem negative. But in the things of God, we need to be clingy!

The phrase "holding fast" means:

  • Cling tightly.

  • Keep a firm grip.

  • Never let go.

God doesn’t need clever people. He needs clingy people.

Scripture repeats this idea:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21: "Test all things; hold fast what is good."

  • Hebrews 3:6: "If we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end."

  • Revelation 2:25: "Hold fast what you have till I come."

We can have something good and still lose it if we don't hold on.

How do we hold on?

Acts 3:5 says, "So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them." In Greek, it's the same idea as "hold fast": focusing intently, fixing your mind, anticipating.

That’s why we go to church, Bible study, and ministry: to get a stronger grip on Christ and the gospel.

From childhood, we all instinctively know how to hold on. God says today: "Hold on to Me."

Part Three: The Blessing and Joy That Comes from Holding On

Paul talks about holding on leading to joy:

  • "That I may rejoice in the day of Christ... I am glad and rejoice with you all."

Paul was holding on and experiencing joy:

  • From what Christ was doing in him.

  • From what Christ was doing through him in others.

The phrase "holding fast" also means "to hold something up" — like a torch. As we hold on to Christ, our life becomes a light to others. That brings joy!

Examples of Holding On Leading to Joy:

  • Job: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."

  • Joseph: Betrayed, sold, falsely accused, imprisoned—but he held on and God raised him up.

  • Nelson Mandela: 27 years in prison, holding on to hope and forgiveness, eventually leading South Africa.

  • Viktor Frankl: Survived concentration camps, held on to purpose, wrote Man's Search for Meaning, lectured at over 200 universities, left behind a legacy worth millions.

When you don't know what to do, hold on to Jesus. Joy will come!

Even in the financial world, there’s an example:

Grace Groner: A secretary from Illinois bought three shares of Abbott Laboratories in 1935 for about $180. She held onto them through stock splits and dividends. By the time she passed in 2010, her portfolio was worth over $7 million. Quietly accumulated through patient investing.

The same principle applies spiritually:

Hold on to prayer, the Word of God, Christ, love, and hope.

In this life, holding on brings joy. And in the next life, it accumulates eternal rewards.

Let’s hold on and rejoice always!

courtney lowe
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