Stand Firm or Don’t Stand at All

This is what the LORD GOD says:  It will not happen; it will not occur. The head of Aram is Damascus, the head of Damascus is Rezin (within 65 years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people), the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.     Isaiah 7:7-9 HCSB

In this Scripture passage, God is speaking through His prophet Isaiah to Ahaz, the king of Judah. Ahaz and his people are being oppressed by Assyria. Assyria wants to take over their land. God knows all and He certainly knows that Ahaz’ faith in Him is lacking. He knows that Ahaz is starting to think that he should count on the help of a stronger country rather than God.

Here Isaiah tells Ahaz that God is saying if he doesn’t stand firm in His faith in, then he will not stand at all.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather!”? This phrase denotes shock and dismay. It speaks of how vulnerable we are when we are surprised. This is why distraction techniques are so effective. You get the enemy focused on one area and you hit them in another area.

The devil loves to distract us with life’s problems. He loves to make life overwhelming to the point where we don’t know where to turn or what to do. This is a dangerous position for us to be in. As Christians we should always know where to turn and what to do. We turn to our Lord and Savior and place our faith in Him. We do as He commands us to do. We obey His commands, and we do what His word tells us to do, and we will be okay.

Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. If you love Him, stay focused on Him not on the huge problem looming in front of you. Do what He commands you to do. You take care of His business, fully trusting that He will take good care of your business.

We are told in James 1:22 to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. If you pray and study your Bible, you are off to a good start. If you don’t live according to God’s word, however, you are deceiving yourself. We must obey. We must do what God has called us to do.

If you are frustrated or anxious or frightened, turn to God’s word. God will work it out for our good if we are doing what he has told us to do? Are you doing that? If so, you have no need to worry. If not, you need to start doing as He commands us to do.

Then you can stand firm in your faith. If you are unable to stand firm in your faith, prepare to fall. The only way we can stand is in our faith in Him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). With Him, all things are possible (Luke 1:37). No matter what battle you are facing, know that your job is to do as God has called you to do. You are to love Him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind and love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). You are to focus on Him and He will provide all you need (Matthew 6:33).

Suit up in God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and stand firm. He will fight your battle, you need not fear. Position yourself, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Stand firm in your faith or don’t stand at all. It’s really that simple.

Have a great day!