Stand Firm
“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.
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.
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 6:10-13
This verse always reminds me of one of David’s mighty men. “Now after him was Shammah…. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.” 2 Samuel 23:11-12.
We took must take our stand against false accusations and evil. Stand firm and trust in the Lord. It was the Lord who brought about the great victory for Shammah, but he did his part by standing in faith against his enemies. How do we stand? We pray and fast and believe that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do Then we walk in integrity. In Isaiah 58, God tells His people that they cry out to Him but He does not answer because they are fasting for the wrong reasons and they continue to ignore the needs of those around them for personal gain. HE call them to fast with a heart of sincerity. If they will walk with integrity and feed the poor and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then their “…light would rise in darkness …and the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
Psalm 26 also stresses this point: “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. And I have trusted in the Lord, without wavering. Examine me. O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.”
Pray and fast with humility and trust then stand firm and see the victory of the Lord our God.
