Cleave

Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cleave to him.

It is not a word frequently used in conversation, yet you have probably heard it at almost every wedding ceremony you have ever attended. It was one of the first statements made following the creation of woman and represents God’s original design and purpose for marriage. Genesis 2:2 states, “a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.”

In OT Hebrew it is dāḇaq, in NT Greek it is kollaō; in both languages it means to cling, to glue together, cement, or fasten together firmly, representing an inseparable bond. It is God’s original super glue, and it is not only necessary in marriage but also in our relationship with God. Joshua 23:8 states, “But you are to cleave, cling tightly to the Lord your God.” And God is serious about this bond: "Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:9 NIV).

Who is this God that we are called to cling to? He is the one true God, who had no beginning and has no end. He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love (Psalms 145:8 NLT). He rescues the poor and needy, turning paupers into princes and placing them on royal thrones of honor (Psalm 113: 7-8). He is rich in mercy, His word is flawless, and He is a shield to all who take refuge in him (2 Samuel 22:31).

To cleave to God is to stay so close to him that nothing can come between you. A bond cemented in the redemptive blood of Christ, settling every debt, wiping away the guilt of sin. To cling to God is to purposefully plan for time alone with Him in quiet moments, in prayer, and in His Word. Opening our hearts and lives to God’s transforming love and power, not holding anything back. To cling to God is to trust in his promises, to seek his favor, to care only for his approval and not that of men, to invest time in serving, and to always keep his praise on your lips.

Birth and death are not the boundaries of a life that cleaves to the Lord. God said he knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5) and He redeemed us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ to spend all of eternity with him. (Revelation 21:3-4) Life’s greatest success or most collosal failure does not define the one who cleaves to the Lord, but only the faithful promises of our God. Our real life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). The one who clings to the Lord knows him as Father, with arms outstretched, saying, Come to me and receive love, life, and strength. Knowing He is absolutely faithful, absolutely trustworthy, and absolutely good. He is the God who cleaves to his people through thick and thin, as a bridegroom cleaves to his bride. He cleaves to us with a promise: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord God, will personally go ahead of you. I will be with you; I will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

When do we see the mighty acts of God—when He drives out the enemy, when we live in His complete grace, provision, and purpose? It is no secret. It is when we cleave to Jehovah God. He is calling each of us into a relationship where we openly declare, “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." (Psalms 73:25-26) Regardless of the situation or circumstances you are walking in, choose to cling to Him today. He is waiting with open arms.   

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Gary and Sandy Anthony 

Genesis 2:24 NIV That is why a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Deuteronomy 11:22 NLT Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly (dāḇaq) to him.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding firmly (dāḇaq) to him. This is the key to your life.

Psalms 63:6-8 NLT I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling (dāḇaq) to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

Joshua 22:5 NLT But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly (dāḇaq ) to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

2 Kings 18:5-6 NIV Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast (dāḇaq) to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.

Psalms 119:30-32 TPT I’ve chosen to obey your truth and walk in the splendor of all that you teach me. Lord don’t allow me to make a mess of my life, for I cling (dāḇaq) to your commands and follow them. I will run after you with delight in my heart, for you will make me obedient to your instructions.

Matthew 10:39 NLT If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

1 Corinthians 6:17 NLT But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

John 17:21 NLT I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.

Jeremiah 13:11 GNT As a belt clings to a man’s waist, so I created you to cling to me, says the Lord. You are to be my people, my pride, my glory—an honor to my name.

Romans 12:9 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Cling to what is good.

Deuteronomy 4:4 NASB But you who clung to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.

Galatians 2:20 NIV I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:3 NLT For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

John 15:4 NIV Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.