Standing Firm

Standing Firm

by David Brenneman 

Have a book by Dr. David Jeremiah called "Slaying the Giants in your life"...and with what's certainly going on in my own life it's a very strong reminder of the truth of God's view of the life of the Believer. 

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13.

"Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness," Ephesians 6:14.

 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13.

Have you done everything to stand firm? 

For me it's drawn me to me to prayer more often.  It's drawn me to bring up my burdens with others for prayer.  It's drawn me to praise and worship music. It's drawn me to more time in God's word.  

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.

Would not also this, from James 4:17 apply? "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Let's also read from Jesus: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." John 6:63.

What more can we find? 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12. 

Each day we're in will be one to stand firm in.  Each day we are granted to breathe the breath of life bestowed to each of us by God we are to stand firm.  

Stand your ground.  Stand firm.  Give no quarter as they used to say.  The battlefield is not in this physical world. It's in your heart, in your mind.  Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy. Even he cares not about flesh and blood.  It's not about that even for him.  He knows where the battlefield is.  We're not to give him a foothold.  

In past times of battles the Children of Israel they were told to array themselves for battle and to line up...stand firm...yet weren't to do anything but watch as the Lord Jesus Christ fought the battle. 

There's a fight to be had in just standing firm.  In the movie "Remember the Titans" there was a scene where one of the coaches saw was stirring up the team. Telling them to hold the line. To not give the other team not one more yard. To make them remember the night they faced the Titan's. 

Would your fight today be in your own strength or in the strength of His might and His power?  

Was reading a saying the other day...

It's a lengthy process to gird up and put on the whole armor of God.  But it's always beneficial.  Always worth the effort.  

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

Many times, if not most times, the battle isn't going to make sense.  It may in fact look peaceful and wonderful.  All battlefields of this world looked nice until it got started. 

We're to be in God's word, reading up on His battle plans.  Knowledgeable of the schemes of the Devil.  We're not to be caught off guard.  Ready to dig in and not give up another yard. 

Most, if not all, times we're to call for reinforcements.  It's why the battle belongs to the Lord.  It's in the power of His might, in the power of His righteousness, that battles are always won.

Are you standing firm?  

I must also clarify...while I do indeed listen to various men of God, specifically Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. David Jeremiah, Dr. Michael Youseff, Pastor Alistair Begg, Dr. John MacArthur...and my own local Pastor's...the final authority is never them...the final authority is the Word of God.  The Word of God transforms lives. People do not.

It is the Word of God that is sharper than any two-edged sword.  

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13.

What are your plans for today?  Seems quite a bit different than you thought isn't it?  There no such thing as a lazy, easy going day when we are aliens in this world with an enemy who hates everything we stand for in Christ Jesus.  We are behind enemy lines. Remember that. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Set your mind on things above and not on the things that are of this world.  

Are you getting Spiritually dressed for today?  Ephesians 6, the whole armor of God?  Until you put it on, it hangs in the closet. 

Stand firm...don't give up.  

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.