Stand. What does it mean to you? When you stand up for something, it usually means you agree with it wholeheartedly and support it. By standing, you are saying that you are firm in your beliefs in it, and will defend it to no end.
As a Christian, I believe that what the Word of God says is truth. God said it, so it is true. Worth standing for. Worth defending. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I want to live my life in obedience to Him. Why? Because He first loved me by giving His life on the cross for me, and because I want to please Him. I fear Him in a reverent kind of way, respecting Him and honoring Him.
In this culture today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand up for one's faith in God. More and more, the influx of evil is becoming rampant, and what used to be the norm is now the opposite. The Bible tells us, "That in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors , headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." Does this sound familiar to you? I remember reading this decades ago, and didn't see it happening. But now, I see it almost everywhere. And it is getting worse.
And that's just the culture. Laws are being made now to endorse lifestyles that are forbidden by God, as written in the Bible. These things are even celebrated by our higher leaders, and if one doesn't agree with them, then he can face the consequences of breaking the law! Who would have ever thought it would come to this?
The LORD impressed upon me to study the word STAND. So I looked up all the verses I could find to learn what He says about it. I found almost 40, and typed them up. As I meditated on them, I found a common thing: only through God's strength can we stand up for Him. And He tells us that by doing so, He will stand right beside us. He wants us to put on the whole armor that He provides. You can read about it in Ephesians 6:13-18. It is imperative that you put on the whole armor, not just a part of it. This will enable us to withstand the fiery darts of the wicked one. We cannot afford to start our days without it!
Also, as we find ourselves in the midst of an increasingly evil environment, we need not be afraid! Jesus has already won the victory over Satan through His death and resurrection, so we are on the winning side. And Satan knows it. By standing still, and letting God fight our battles, we will see the salvation of the LORD, which, according to Exodus 14:13, He will accomplish for you today! I love this verse, as it directly applies to my constant prayer request for loved ones' salvation. God is so good to us and provides all we need to live successfully for Him!
By the way, our job in these times is to love others, no matter what they do. Don't let their behavior cause you to act like them, but show them the same love that God gives you. After all, none of us are perfect! We all fall short. He forgives us when we go to Him in repentance, and even if someone doesn't repent to you, you should still forgive him. Shine His Light also, whenever the Spirit leads, as everyone needs a Savior. We should persevere in this until the end.
So, stand up for your faith in God! Be strong and courageous! Know the Word of God. Meditate on it, and memorize it. Pray and seek God's Face regularly. Put on that armor. And trust that He will watch over you and guide you through the battlegrounds. Remember, Jesus has already won the war!
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