Stand Firm

Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19 (NIV)

Airport trams and trains can make me nervous. I usually travel with a carry-on rolling suitcase and a backpack. When I board, I look for something to hold onto because when the tram starts or stops, it can be a challenge to maintain balance, but with practice and anticipation, I usually can avoid embarrassment even when I cannot hold onto something.

Life can be like an airport tram. We face the challenge of learning how to “stand firm,” amid all the starts and stops. We need to find something to hold onto so that we are not thrown off balance because we will confront powerful forces that exceed our ability to stand on our own. In Luke 21, Jesus was preparing his disciples for the coming persecution. It would not be easy, but he told them to not worry ahead of time concerning what they would say or how they would defend themselves (V. 14-15). Jesus then went on to say, “Stand firm, and you will win life.” Luke 21:19 (NIV)

Metaphorically, we can learn to handle the ordinary starts and stops of life and most people will do simply fine, but what about the extraordinary? What about those things in life which we confront unexpectedly: a loss of a job, a devastating medical diagnosis, the disintegration of a relationship? How can we “stand firm,” when something hits us from the blind side? What will keep our feet from slipping?

Someone once said, “It’s a jungle out there!” Everyone has a story about difficult times they have faced in life. Paul gives an account in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 of the things that he faced that could have knocked him off his feet, but he was not ashamed of his experience, in fact he said: “If it’s necessary to brag, I’ll brag about my weaknesses” 2 Corinthians 11:30 (CEB). The trials and the attacks will come, they are inevitable, but what can we do to “stand firm?”

There are 32 passages in the NIV that speak of “stand firm” or “standing firm”. Of those passages, Ephesians 6:13-18, speaking of the “Armor of God,” ties the admonition to “stand firm” with our footwear: “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared” Ephesians 6:15 (NLT). When we put on “The Whole Armor of God,” it is the gospel message of peace that provides a firm footing.

“Standing firm” does not necessarily mean standing still. We have a call to advance and not to retreat. Our mission is to burst through “the gates of hell” and liberate the captives. Without a doubt, Paul was envisioning a Roman soldier as he described our spiritual armor. I recall learning that the footwear of a Roman soldier had spikes or nails in the soles which were angled in such a way to facilitate advancement and discourage retreat.

Preparation is the key to “standing firm.” As was previously illustrated, not everything in life can be anticipated, so the urgency of preparing mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and yes, even physically must be given priority. It should go without saying, but discipline is necessary to be a disciple. Study Ephesians 6 once again and pay particular attention to the description of each piece of armament. Everything is provided for us, but we must become proficient in their use.

“Standing firm” with others is more advantageous than standing alone. We need to pray for one another and encourage one another every day. We all need someone like this in our lives:

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12 (NIV)

Do we wrestle in prayer for someone? Is someone wrestling in prayer for us? There is strength in unity. At times we will be weak and need someone who will stand alongside of us. There is no place for pride or arrogance: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV). Whatever we go through, someone else has already experienced it. “God is faithful!”

Analogous to “standing firm” is being planted and deeply rooted. “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 (NLT). The Psalmist tells us that we can be like “a tree that is planted by the water that brings fruit at just the right time.” It is wonderful to be able to say in the face anything, good or bad: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” Acts 20:24 (NKJV).

There is much more which could be said but let us prepare ourselves and clothe ourselves with God’s armor, so that no matter what we face, we will “stand firm!”

Steve Ekeroth

Photo by Rishiraj Singh Parmar from Pexels