Stand!

23 Apr Stand!

April 23, 2023

Stand!

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore… Ephesians 6:13-14

Read Ephesians 6:13-20

Everyone one deals with some challenges from time to time or knows someone who is going through a difficult crisis in life. Those situations can bring you down to your knees if allowed. King David said in Psalms 27:13, “I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.” I have been there, and I know many of you have too.  This message is to encourage you to hold on to your faith, to stand and keep on standing.

Stand on God’s Promises: Remember what the Word of God says about the situation, what God said to you, and what he told you to do. These battles can be natural and/or spiritual.

Psalm 145:13-14 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 AMP “For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.”

Stand Still: Sometimes the battle is not yours. Watch God work the problem(s) out and receive the deliverer He sends to help you. 

Exodus 14:13 … “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew you today”

1 Samuel 17:47 ESV “And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 

Stand in the Gap:  Sometimes we have to stand for someone or something other than ourselves. For instance, our city and country, the poor and needy, that person you do not know but can see or sense is going through a difficult time. Or that wayward child, neighbors who lost their job, victims of natural disasters…

Ezekiel 22:29-31 NIRV “The people of the land get rich by cheating others. They steal. They crush those who are poor and in need. They treat outsiders badly. They refuse to be fair to them. “I looked for someone among them who would stand up for Jerusalem. I tried to find someone who would pray to me for the land. Then I would not have to destroy it. But I could not find anyone who would pray for it.”

Luke 22:31-32   And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Remember your prayers could make a difference. 

How do we stand: Ephesians 6:10 says “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.   

1. The belt of truth buckled around your waist.

2. The breastplate of righteousness in place.

3. Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

4. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

5. Take the helmet of salvation.

6. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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.

God wants us to live in the posture and attitude of standing. The book of Jude 1:24 says “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.” 💕

Theresa Woodard