Stand

Ephesians 6:13b...”and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].” We all face things…hard things. Trials, people issues, hard times last way longer than we hope they will sometimes.

In the beginning we are strong it’s easy at first, we are quoting Scriptures standing firm in our faith for what we believe God for. Psalms 46:10a…”Be still, and know that I am God…” Ok check…doing that. But then it goes on and on and on…when we’ve done all of the things Scripture tells us and still no answers are found what do we do then?? 

Human “beings” should have been called human “doings” because we tend to just keep trying to find something else to DO to fix it don’t we? If we are anything we are doers. We try it all and then some. The only problem with that is we can start in faith doing what we know to do but at some point when it just doesn’t happen we cross that line and get into our flesh trying to help God! 

We do that because we don’t know how to stand. This Scripture is telling us that after we have done everything the crisis demands to stand firm…stand knowing that the Holy Spirit is working on our behalf in the spirit realm where we can’t see it; we just assume nothing is happening.

In reality more is actually happening than we understand. We forget that there is a whole other realm that we can’t see, a dimension unseen but very very real. It’s important to keep that reality in the forefront of our thinking when it gets tuff to stand. In every problem we face we have a part to play in its solution and God has a part. We can’t do his part and he won’t do our part. We are required to DO the Word where our circumstance is concerned. Some of our part is doing the word part of it is to stand. 

Then the Holy Spirit who is our helper goes to work to do what only he can do. Only he can move on human hearts to change them. Only he can change that wayward child that empty bank account, heal that broken body. 

When we keep striving past our part we then get into works of the flesh and are trying to do God’s part. That never works out too well. At that point we become frustrated, angry, depressed, impatient etc. because we can’t seem to make things happen. We not only want it resolved we want it yesterday? For real!

In the Old Testament God required only the Priests to offer the sacrifices. King Saul was getting ready to go to battle and needed to offer a sacrifice. Samuel the Prophet said he would be there to offer it but like all human doings Saul got tired of waiting and did it himself. That act of impatience and not standing cost him the Kingdom. He tired to do something beyond what was his responsibility. He paid a heavy cost for that decision.

How many times do we try to be super Christian and like a two year old think “I do it myself!” I wonder how may blessings we have lost, how many opportunities we have missed how many answers we have messed up by simply not standing and trusting God to perform his word? Standing requires trust. We try to take our life out of God’s capable hands and place it in our own to get what we want when we want it. Trusting is letting go and letting God work!

All that God requires of us is our surrender. That means, “to yield to the power of another, to give up, to relinquish.” When we give up we are saying God whatever happens you are in control and I know it will be the best for me.

Trust and patience are two qualities that are only developed under trail. We have to have a hard situation to be able to exercise these attributes. As we ‘use” them we are building up spiritual muscles so that it becomes easier to stand the next time.  

What is it that you are struggling to stand for? Have you gone beyond your part? It’s so easy to do. I know I have situations I’d like to fix! #HelpMeJesus 

What do we do? We stand when it’s hard, when we don’t want to, when we don’t feel like it, and when we want to quit. We stand! When we choose to focus on God in trust our situations lose their power over our emotions. I don’t know what you are standing for but don’t you dare quit! Stand and keep standing and trusting God! He cannot fail you! He will not fail you! 

God you are able, you are working on our behalf behind the scenes where we can’t see. You have a plan and are working YOUR plan for OUR good. Give us a super abundant supply of your amazing grace to stand-believe-and trust you to the end. I pray for all of my friends who need answers. Send the comforter to them today; fill them with assurance that you are working for them…