Stand Steadfast

There is a time to stand steadfast and there is a time to flee. Make sure your motive for either is based on trust. Do not allow others to persuade you to run and hide when you need to stand and fight. Having faith in God may mean engaging in some uncomfortable activities. Don’t run off just because you are afraid of being roughed up. Anybody can leave, but trust in God implores you to stay. Be aggressive with your agitators. Let them know that you will not be intimidated by false promises or bad advice. Beware of people whose counsel sounds right, but is wrapped in selfish motivations. They may want you to move on so they can move in. Others vie for your power because they lust for its influence. So stand steadfast in your Savior. Trust Jesus with this temptation to flee.

One of Satan’s schemes is distrust. If he can get us to lose faith in our heavenly Father, he can influence our decision making with foolish thoughts. Satan is patient. He knows a little incremental doubt can lead to a large amount of distrust. Bad advice can be deceptive while looking good on the surface. It may even sound like your counselors have your best interest in mind. After all, with a tinge of sincerity, they communicate “worry” over your safety or your reputation. But in reality, they are really mocking you and God. Why would someone want you to run away from trusting God unless they had something in mind for themselves? This moment of decision is an opportunity for your faith to intersect with God’s faithfulness. If you run you will miss refuge in Jesus. Therefore stand steadfast.

Stability comes from standing steadfast with your Savior. Anybody can run and hide in the face of difficult people or challenging circumstances. Like the religious leaders who made fun of Jesus, some may say, “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him…” (Matthew 27:43). Some may blame God for the undeserved outcome they are experiencing. But this unfair criticism only emboldens a strong faith that stands steadfast. Of your critics, consider the source. Do their lives reflect total trust, or is their faith one of convenience?

Use this time of turmoil to trust the Lord even more. His calling has not changed. Stand steadfast. Stand steadfast in Him and you will stand steadfast in your marriage. Stand steadfast in Him, and you will stand steadfast in your vocation. Stead steadfast in Him, and you will stand steadfast in your purity. Stand steadfast in Him, and you will stand steadfast in your friendships. Stand steadfast in Him, and you will stand steadfast in your church. It is easy to leave when everyone else is fleeing from the carnage. Nevertheless, we are convicted to stand steadfast and trust Him, even if we are the last one standing. Even those we respect may run, but we remain ever vigilant. Stand alone with the Almighty. Others will return, and you will be there to graciously greet them. People need a rock of reason. Therefore, stand on the rock of Jesus for their sake.

Taken from Reading #7 in the 90-day devotional book, “Seeking God in the Psalms”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

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