Stand Strong

Focus: 1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

As soldiers of Christ, believers are to stay spiritually alert, keeping our eyes open for false doctrines, temptations, and the traps of the enemy. We are not to compromise, drift, or waver when cultural pressures or trials hit, but lock our feet onto the truth of God’s Word. We are to act like mature, courageous adults, not cowardly children, facing our responsibilities with backbone. We should tap into the supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit to endure any opposition.

The armies of Israel were hiding in caves and thickets, completely terrified of a massive Philistine invasion. Saul was sitting idly under a pomegranate tree. The entire nation had lost its spiritual backbone—except for Jonathan and his young armor-bearer. Jonathan proposed a daring, two-man ambush, suggesting that God might save them because there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. They watched carefully for a divine sign from the enemy garrison to confirm God was with them. The armor-bearer didn't panic, make excuses, or try to run back to the safety of the caves. He stood completely fast in his faith toward God and his loyalty to Jonathan. To reach the enemy, these two men had to crawl on their hands and knees up a steep, rocky cliffside directly into a nest of Philistine soldiers who were mocking them. Acting with ultimate maturity and raw courage, they charged straight into the fight. Operating in supernatural strength, the two men single-handedly toppled the garrison, killing twenty men and triggering a massive earthquake from God that routed the entire Philistine army.

Beloved courage is contagious, and spiritual maturity shows up when things get hard. When everyone else around you is hiding or compromising, God calls you to wake up, lock your feet into your faith, and face your spiritual battles with absolute boldness. When you choose to "quit you like men" and refuse to back down, God can use your individual courage to break open a victory for everyone around you. Be God’s battle axe for the salvation of yourself and many others from the fangs of oppression. Stand strong.

Prayer

Thank you, dear Lord for having given me the spirit of boldness and sound mind. Keep me strong and unflinching in the face of tribulation. Help me to stand in faith to the very end no matter what the enemy brings. I trust you never to leave or forsake me. Please grant me victory without a fight today, in Jesus’ name.

Please share. God bless you.