Cling to the Lord

I've been reading 2 Kings this week. This morning, I was struck by a profound description of King Hezekiah. Ever notice that the most profound statements are the most simple? They have to be, at least, I prefer them to be. I'm also reading a book by Thomas Merton. Every word that Merton lays to paper is profound. His writing style is both elegant and complex. I know that what I'm reading is profound and beautiful, but due to its complexity and depth of spiritual insight, I must read and re-read his lengthy sentences before I can even begin to appreciate the profundity of his point. Thankfully, the Old Testament writers took a more simple approach!!

"For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him. . ." (2 Kings 18:6, NASB).

Perhaps you are more familiar with the NIV which states that Hezekiah "held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow Him. . ." Sure, it's important to hold fast to God. But what a different notion it is to cling to God! This is what attracted me to this description of Hezekiah. He trusted the Lord, as verse 5 states. But more than that, he clung to the Lord and did not depart from following Him. This is my prayer: that I would cling to God, hold tightly to Him, be difficult to remove from Him, and be stubbornly faithfully to Him. That I would follow Him and not depart from Him. I believe God reveals a promise in verse 7. Because Hezekiah clung to God and did not depart from Him, "the Lord was with Him. . ." We see this promise echoed in James 4:8: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

This is a promise of action! The implication from both the author of 2 Kings and James is that obedience is the action that draws us near to God. We must follow Him. We must obey. In response, we are assured His presence in the deepest recesses of our spirit. I don't want to even breathe without knowing God is with me. It is His breath that inflates this mortal coil and brings life, after all. Therefore, let every breath be in honor of Him. Let every thought, every step, every moment be for the glory of God.

I can never bow low enough in His presence. I pray my feeble attempts are enough. In those times when the world seems too much and I forget to cling to God, may His Spirit remind me of His promise.