A Song for When… You Need Something to Hold On To
My church often sings a song called “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me.” I’m not sure who originally recorded this song, but I know it’s been covered by many different musicians and groups throughout the years. I love Selah’s version! Whenever we sing it in church, it’s a certain phrase that stirs up my soul, and that phrase starts off several different stanzas of lyrics. The phrase is, “To this I hold…” We live in a world that’s constantly changing. The stock market rises and falls, life seasons come and go, people transition in and out of our lives, and so on. Isn’t it nice to think about something certain you can hold onto?
What’s something you can rely on in this life? Something you can hold onto? I’m thinking about some comfort activities in my life like Royals games, books, coffee shops and loved ones. If I’m having a rough day, I know I can pick up a book, open its pages, and focus my mind on something new and different. Or if I’m bursting at the seams with a funny or crazy story, I always know I can call my sister and spill the beans. Or if school was especially stressful, heading out to Kauffman Stadium to enjoy a Royals game from section 427 brings its own kind of comfort and relaxation. It’s helpful to have things to “hold onto,” in a sense, but of course, only eternal things we “hold onto” can bring true peace, joy and security.
That’s what I love about “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me!” Its lyrics remind me of what God offers that I can hold onto. For example…
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus … For my life is wholly bound to His … Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, “All is mine” … Yet not I, but through Christ in me
You can hold onto Jesus and let your life be wholly bound to His. This presents zero risk. Jesus is faithful, loyal and unchanging. He is a firm foundation and a steady rock to stand upon. Need proof? Read: 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Psalm 36:5; 1 Corinthians 1:9; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Psalm 18:2.
What else can you hold onto?
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me … Through the deepest valley, He will lead … Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome … Yet not I, but through Christ in me
God will defend you. He will fight your battles and lead you out of the depths of despair. With His help, you can always overcome. Need proof? Read: Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Romans 8:31; Psalm 34:17; Isaiah 43:2; Jeremiah 1:8; Psalm 118:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Psalm 23:4.
What else can you hold onto?
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated … Jesus, now and ever is my plea … Oh, the chains are released, I can sing, “I am free” … Yet not I, but through Christ in me
As a believer in Jesus, you can claim victory over sin and death! You do not need to stay bound to your struggles. Jesus’ death and resurrection loosed any chains that might try to hold you back. You are free in the name of Jesus, and that freedom is one of the best things to hold onto. Need proof? Read: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Revelation 1:18; Romans 8:1-4; Isaiah 25:8; Colossians 2:15; John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 6:22; Psalm 118:5; John 10:10; Galatians 5:1-16.
What else can you hold onto?
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus … All the glory evermore to Him … When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat … “Yet not I, but through Christ in me”
In case you missed it the first time, you can hold onto Jesus. If He is your absolutely only hope right now in life, then you have enough. He is all you need! He deserves all the glory and praise. When your race is over and you step into eternity with Christ one day, what a joy it will be to say, “Yet not I, but through Christ in me.”
There are so many other great lyrics in this song! I encourage you to take a listen. As you meditate on the other powerful words and phrases in between the stanzas highlighted above, it will make the portions I included that much more powerful. From all of the wonderful options of what to take from this song, if nothing else, take hope—that you can hold onto Jesus. You can hold onto His strength, His victory, His freedom and His wholeness. He will not let you down. Ever.