Stand

Stand

Remember this

when you have done all to stand

and you feel tired!

When you have done all to stand, stand!

 These words are found in a military context.

When a solider takes a stand,

 there are only three possible outcomes…

·       Fight for your life

·       Surrender and be captured

·       Go AWOL

Standing is never easy. 

The longer you stand, the harder it can get.

Your stand is based on your conviction.

There is a difference between

a conviction

and a preference.

Preferences aren’t worth dying for.

If we don’t get the preferred color, flavor or place,

second best will do.

But a conviction stands its ground;

it defends its position.

It is not a desire;

it is a belief.

Doubt and fear are the enemies of conviction.

   At the point you have done all to stand,

you become venerable.

We all believe that if we do the right thing

we will get our reward.

·       If we prayed enough

·       If we fasted

·       If we sought Godly council

·       etc.

We can get the idea that our time of standing

is based on how long it takes for us

to complete certain spiritual exercises.

This is why we are told

when you have “done all to stand, stand.”

We never stop standing on our convictions

about God and His righteousness.  

But how we stand will vary.

If you look at the battles the godly leaders of Israel fought,

you will find God used different strategies.

If you look at the times Jesus healed the sick,

you will find He did not use the same program.

So, when you stand you need

to know you are standing

on proper convictions.

You need to be open to God’s way

of bringing about the victory.

Don’t look at the time you have stood,

by the spiritual exercises you have completed.

Know that the “doing all to stand” is our part.

The second time “stand” is mentioned

is when we wait for God to do His part.

Scripture Reading 

Ephesians 6:10-14 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord

and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand

against the devil's schemes.

12 For our struggle is not

against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers,

against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world

and against the spiritual forces of evil

in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground,  

 and after you have done everything,

to stand.

14 Stand firm then