Hold Onto Faith Blues

Keep the faith, endure the storm, and lift each other up!
In the spirit of Hebrews 10:35-36, don't let trials shake your trust in God's promise. Gather with your community, pray through the hard times, and hold fast to the hope of salvation. Let this song remind you to persevere, just as those in the Great Depression leaned on hope to carry on.

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https://storiesthatheal.blogspot.com/2016/09/bible-quote-sep-25th-hebrews-1035-36.html
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(Verse 1) Oh, don't throw away your confidence, child, don't let it go, Don't throw away your confidence, child, don't let it go, It's got a mighty reward waitin', in the sweet by and by, you know.
(Verse 2) You need that endurance, brother, through the hard times so blue, You need that endurance, brother, through the hard times so blue, After doin' God's will, that promise gonna come shinin' through.
(Chorus) Hold on, hold on, to that faith so true, Hold on, hold on, the Lord's gonna see you through, In these dust bowl days, with nothin' but sorrow in view, Endure a little longer, and heaven's reward is due.
(Verse 3) Meanin' is clear as the Mississippi mud, don't lose your bold trust, Meanin' is clear as the Mississippi mud, don't lose your bold trust, Faith in Christ's blood, it's the only way, in Him we must.
(Verse 4) Application for these hungry times, when the bread lines are long, Application for these hungry times, when the bread lines are long, Keep prayin' and servin', stay strong in the throng, God's promise of salvation will right every wrong.
(Verse 5) When trials come knockin' like the sheriff at the door, When trials come knockin' like the sheriff at the door, Endure with patience, do His will evermore, Eternal life's waitin' on that golden shore.
(Chorus) Hold on, hold on, to that faith so true, Hold on, hold on, the Lord's gonna see you through, In these depression blues, with skies so gray and few, Endure a little longer, and heaven's reward is due.
(Outro) So don't cast it away, no, keep that confidence high, Through the will of the Father, under that endless sky, The promise is comin', no need to ask why... Yeah, the promise is comin', in the sweet by and by.
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### Background
The Epistle to the Hebrews is a New Testament book addressed primarily to Jewish Christians who were experiencing persecution and temptation to revert to traditional Judaism. It emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Covenant system of sacrifices and rituals. Hebrews 10:35-36 falls within a section (Hebrews 10:19-39) that warns against apostasy and encourages perseverance in faith, following discussions on Christ's perfect sacrifice and the dangers of willful sin. The immediate context urges believers to hold onto their confidence amid trials, reminding them of past endurance and the need for ongoing faithfulness to receive God's promises. This passage serves as a bridge between warnings of judgment and exhortations to remember God's faithfulness, set against the backdrop of early Christian communities facing social and religious pressures.

### History
The Epistle to the Hebrews is anonymous, lacking the typical authorial greeting found in other New Testament letters, which has led to extensive debate over its authorship since the early church. Traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, this view was questioned as early as the third century due to differences in style, vocabulary (e.g., more polished Greek and Alexandrian influences), theological emphases (less focus on resurrection, more on high priesthood), and the absence of Paul's characteristic personal claims. Modern scholars largely reject Pauline authorship, proposing alternatives such as Barnabas (suggested by Tertullian for his Levitical background and exhortatory style), Apollos (noted by Martin Luther for his Alexandrian eloquence and scriptural knowledge from Acts 18:24-28), or a disciple influenced by Pauline theology.

One notable theory, proposed by German theologian Adolf von Harnack in 1900, posits that Priscilla (also known as Prisca), the wife of Aquila and a prominent early Christian figure, authored the letter. Arguments for Priscilla include:

- **Anonymity as a Clue to Female Authorship**: If the author had been male, there would likely have been no need to obscure their identity, as male leaders like Paul openly claimed authorship. However, in the patriarchal context of the first-century church and broader Greco-Roman society, a female author might have omitted her name to ensure the letter's acceptance and circulation. Alternatively, early copyists or recipients could have removed it to avoid prejudice against women's teaching roles, especially as female leadership waned in post-apostolic times.

- **Proximity and Historical Context**: Priscilla was "nearby" in the relevant settings, operating along the Rome-Ephesus axis where Hebrews may have been sent or originated. She and Aquila were expelled from Rome under Claudius (Acts 18:2), hosted a house church there (Romans 16:3-5), and had ties to Ephesus and Corinth. The letter's greeting in Hebrews 13:24 ("Those from Italy send you greetings") aligns with exiles from Rome, and references to persecution (Hebrews 10:32-34) could link to Nero's era around AD 64. Priscilla's close association with Paul and Timothy (mentioned in Hebrews 13:23) further supports her involvement.

- **Education and Capability**: Priscilla was educated and capable, as evidenced by her role in instructing the eloquent Apollos in "the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26), indicating deep theological knowledge. Her background as a tentmaker with Aquila suggests literacy and rhetorical skills suitable for Hebrews' sophisticated Greek, extensive Septuagint quotations, and sermonic style. The letter's use of "we" and personal tone could imply collaborative authorship with Aquila, fitting their partnership in ministry.

- **Textual and Stylistic Fit**: The author's profile matches Priscilla's: a gifted teacher, evangelist, and catechist with spiritual leadership. Harnack suggested she might have used an "editorial masculine" in passages like Hebrews 11:32 (where the participle "diēgoumenon" appears masculine but could be neuter or adjectival in a non-gender-specific way), to disguise her gender or for literary effect. The letter's epistolary elements, personal references, and ties to a specific audience suggest an author with longstanding relationships, like Priscilla.

Counterarguments to this theory include the masculine grammar in Hebrews 11:32, which some see as disqualifying a female author (though proponents argue it's ambiguous or intentional), and the lack of direct manuscript evidence for a feminine variant. Overall, while intriguing, the Priscilla hypothesis remains speculative and not widely accepted, with no consensus on authorship.

The historical context reflects challenges faced by first-century Jewish believers, possibly in Rome or Jerusalem, during increasing persecution under Roman emperors like Nero (around AD 64-68). The book was likely written to prevent apostasy, as converts from Judaism grappled with the loss of temple rituals and community ties. The date of composition is estimated between AD 65 (after Paul's death) and AD 70, as the text describes temple sacrifices as ongoing (e.g., Hebrews 10:11), implying it predates the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. This places it in the late apostolic era, making it one of the later New Testament writings.

### Meaning
Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV states: "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." The "confidence" refers to bold faith and assurance in Christ's redemptive work, which should not be discarded despite hardships, as it leads to eternal reward. "Endurance" (or patience) is highlighted as essential for persevering through trials to fulfill God's will—living faithfully—and ultimately inherit the promise of salvation and eternal life through Jesus. In the broader chapter, this ties to the superiority of Christ's sacrifice, contrasting it with insufficient Old Covenant practices, and serves as a call to steadfastness amid persecution. The "promise" likely alludes to God's eschatological rewards, including the second coming of Christ and final deliverance.

### Application
These verses apply today by encouraging believers to maintain unwavering faith during difficulties, such as personal trials, doubt, or cultural pressures, viewing endurance as key to spiritual maturity and receiving God's promises. Practically, this means actively recalling past faithfulness (as in verses 32-34), drawing near to God in community (verse 25), and focusing on eternal rewards rather than temporary afflictions. For individuals, it inspires persistence in prayer, service, and ethical living; for communities, it promotes mutual support to prevent spiritual drift. In modern contexts like persecution or secular challenges, it reminds Christians that short-term suffering yields long-term divine fulfillment.
Musical Arrangement
Instruments
To evoke the raw, heartfelt sound of 1930s Depression-era blues, use these traditional instruments:
Acoustic Guitar: A steel-string guitar with slide or fingerpicking to carry the melody and rhythm, delivering that soulful, twangy sound typical of Delta or Piedmont blues.
Harmonica: Adds a mournful, wailing quality, perfect for expressing the trials in the lyrics. Use a diatonic harmonica in the key of G or A for authenticity.
Upright Bass or Washtub Bass: Provides a steady, thumping low end to ground the rhythm, mimicking the sparse setups of traveling blues musicians.
Washboard or Spoons: For percussive texture, reflecting the makeshift instruments of the era, adding a gritty, homemade feel.
Vocals: A raw, emotive lead vocal with occasional call-and-response backing vocals to echo the communal spirit of the church, inspired by Hebrews 10:25.
Rhythm
Use a 12-bar blues structure with a shuffle or slow drag rhythm, common in 1930s blues. The pattern should follow a standard AAB lyrical form, with each verse and chorus adhering to the I-IV-V chord progression (e.g., G-C-D in the key of G). Incorporate slight syncopation in the guitar and washboard to give it that swinging, lived-in feel, as if played by weary but hopeful travelers.
Tempo
Set a slow to moderate tempo (around 70-90 BPM) to reflect the weight of Depression-era struggles and the call for patient endurance. This allows the lyrics to breathe, giving space for emotional delivery and the harmonica's mournful wails to shine.
Performance Notes
Guitar: Start with a slide intro, bending notes to set a somber mood, then settle into a steady fingerpicked pattern. Use open chords with occasional hammer-ons to evoke authenticity.
Harmonica: Play soulful fills between vocal lines, with long, bending notes on words like "endure" and "promise" to emphasize hope amid hardship.
Vocals: Deliver with a gravelly, heartfelt tone, inspired by bluesmen like Robert Johnson or Blind Willie McTell. Add slight vibrato on sustained notes like "blues" or "true."
Dynamics: Keep verses soft and introspective, building to a fuller, passionate chorus with backing vocals joining in to reflect the communal encouragement of Hebrews.
Outro: Fade with a gentle guitar slide and a final harmonica wail, leaving a lingering sense of hope, like a prayer for the promised reward.
This arrangement ensures the song feels like it belongs in a 1930s juke joint or church gathering, channeling the era's raw emotion while uplifting listeners with the message of perseverance and faith.