A Sticky Little Verb in the Bible

This morning in the book of Joshua, I notice how many times Joshua tells us to “cling” to God. In Joshua’s last days–and in his last words of blessing to the people–he says this in Chapter 22:

Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

I love this little verb cling. When I picture “clinging” to God, it’s a desperate move. It’s like a terrified child clutching a father or a shaking animal tightly burrowing into the arms of safety. To cling to God means we hold onto Him so tightly because we need Him. He’s our only hope. We cling to Him like someone storm-tossed who needs stability, like someone who cannot see the way, like someone who needs protection.

May we stay desperate for God. May we cling.

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