Hold the Line" is a song by the American rock band Toto. Written by the band's keyboardist David Paich, the song was featured on their debut 1978 eponymous album. This musical nugget was the first single by Toto, a group made up of six very talented session musicians who had backed up artists like Boz Scaggs, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Jackson Browne. The song deals with the mysteries of love.
It's not in the way you say you care
It's not in the way you've been treating my friends
It's not in the way that you'll stay till the end
It's not in the way you look or the things that you say that you do
Hold the line
Love isn't always on time
It's not in the words that you told me
It's not in the way you say you're mine
It's not in the way that you came back to me
It's not in the way that your love set me free
It's not in the way you look or the things that you say that you do
Hold the line
Love isn't always on time
It's not in the words that you told me
It's not in the way you say you're mine
It's not in the way that you came back to me
It's not in the way that your love set me free
It's not in the way you look or the things that you say that you do
Hold the line
Love isn't always on time
It's not in the way that you hold me
It's not in the way that you make me feel
You see
It's all about the way you do the things you do
The way you do it
You've got to hold it
Hold it
Hold the line
Love isn't always on time
The song is about "Love" and the passion of one person towards another. Commitment, dedication and at times infatuation. "Hold the line" is another way of saying "Stick with it" give it you full attention. Don't be swerved from it. Don't be lured away from this thing but hold the line. When I first heard the song it thought the line "Hold the line " was about someone talking on the telephone, but in later reflection it's about unswerving commitment to a course of action.
In the Old Testament when Joshua had taken up the leadership of Israel a command is given to Joshua to lead the people of God, a command to obey and not turn from it to the right or the left. Joshua was called to "Hold the Line"
In the New Testament In Paul's letter to the Ephesians Paul focuses on the 3 things through the letter In the 6 chapters we find Paul speaking of "Seated" "Walking" and "Standing" (Sit, Walk, Stand) in Vs 2 of Chaper five Paul says this about "Walking"Joshua 1: 6-9 "6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The word for "Walk" means to walk a tightrope, to keep your eyes on the other side, to walk in a way that is circumspect. the meaning of circumspect is "Wary and unwilling to take risks" This means that you will "Hold the line" you are committed to walking in this way. Nothing can deter you from this course of action. You will not be wary, you will not be distracted. On this occasion not taking risks is a good thing, not talking a risk means walking as agreed. "Holding the line" litterally.
In both Joshua and Ephesians we have instructions on how to commit to a course of action. It will be lent in a few weeks. Lent begins on the 18th February and traditionally Lent is about giving something up. This year it could be about agreeing and sticking to a course of action. Perhaps the Lord Jesus has been prompting you towards a course of action and it's failed to get off the ground. Perhaps Lent would be a good time to commit to that course of action. Intentional commitment. not passive. Stick to it, Hold the line, Walk in it, Dont give it up, follow me, are all ways of saying the same thing.
Jesus is on the look out for those who will commit to intentional discipleship and who will go through with God. May you know God's power in your life as you walk with Jesus "Holding the Line" and remaining faithful to that which he has called you to. AMEN
In both Joshua and Ephesians we have instructions on how to commit to a course of action. It will be lent in a few weeks. Lent begins on the 18th February and traditionally Lent is about giving something up. This year it could be about agreeing and sticking to a course of action. Perhaps the Lord Jesus has been prompting you towards a course of action and it's failed to get off the ground. Perhaps Lent would be a good time to commit to that course of action. Intentional commitment. not passive. Stick to it, Hold the line, Walk in it, Dont give it up, follow me, are all ways of saying the same thing.
Jesus is on the look out for those who will commit to intentional discipleship and who will go through with God. May you know God's power in your life as you walk with Jesus "Holding the Line" and remaining faithful to that which he has called you to. AMEN
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