Stand Firm

It seems when you look away from the world for one minute, there seems to be a new challenge for those who truly walk with Jesus. From laws being forced down our throats to everyday challenges, it can get easy to be discourage. It seems the easiest thing to do these days is run and hide.

That is not what the Bible calls us to do. The Bible calls us to stand firm. Christians have a reason to stand firm. We already have eternal life through the finished work of Christ. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

When the Israelites were at the Red Sea and saw the approaching Egyptian army, they panicked and who could blame them. Moses told them, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again" (Exodus 14:13). God parted the Red Sea so that Israel can cross it while keeping the Egyptians occupied with a pillar of cloud. When the pillar was removed, the Egyptians went after the Israelites and God caused the waters to fall. The Israelites were told to stand firm. Christians are called to stand firm as well.

Yes, things may not be the way they were in our country 30 years ago, but these days should make us long for our King to return to make things right. No one knows what the Lord is doing. Nothing caught Him off guard. No one challenged Him to a MMA match and won. God is still on the throne. We can stand firm knowing our King is still on control of a world full of chaos.

The Apostle Paul wrote this encouragement to the Thessalonian church:

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).

Standing firm does not mean we run and hide, it means we have confidence in the One who called us into fellowship with Jesus for He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).