cling to good

 Have you ever noticed that cling wrap will not stick to cheap plastic bowls?  I have two big plastic bowls that cost a dollar and I like to use them often. They are durable and light.  They hold a lot of food, but when I need to put it in the refrigerator,  I want to cover them with plastic, but the plastic wrap will not cling or stick.  Plastic wrap adheres or clings well to glass and to metal, but not to the cheaper plastic bowls.  It just will not work well.  

This made me think about what we try to cling to spiritually.  Are we holding on and clinging to true things of God, or something cheap or not what we really need?  

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:9 KJV

Cleave is a word that means to cling to or adhere to, stick to it, hold on and not let go.  We are given this verse to cling to that which is good. 

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalms 63:8 KJV

Or in the NIV,  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

We can cling to God, to His word, His promises. He will keep us and protect us.  He will never leave us or forsake us for he holds on to us as well. We can trust Him and place our faith in his goodness. 

Throughout the Bible and history, there are examples of those who do and do not cling to the goodness of God.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 KJV

The nation of Israelites, as a whole, had not clung to God. They had backslid into idol worship, and evil ways. They were ignoring God's word and promises. They were living a life that  glorified self, and whatever they wanted, they did.  They did not hold tight to God.  

Today, this is still true of many. People hold on to things that do not agree with God. It can be utter, complete denial of God, willful disobedience  to his word, or just holding on to pride and my own attitude.   What do I think is so important that I cannot let go and trust God's plan? What do I keep going back to? Do we put things or self first, rather than God?  Are we holding fast to pride, self, or other areas that God really wants to change or make new?  

We need to cling to the good things of God.  We cannot cling to cheap imitations. We cannot cling to things that will not last, nor help us in our pursuit of the holiness of God.  We can hold fast to God and his goodness for he will never fail and he will keep us in the palm of his hand. We can say as David did, "My times are in Your hand." (Psalms 31:15)  we can trust him, hold on and know he is holding on to us. 

Cling to that which is good. Let go of things that hinder or keep us from all the blessings of God. Hold fast to God.