Stand Firm

by Debbie Poer

I have always been encouraged by the number of times in Scripture I see the phrase “stand firm.” To me it is a phrase showing strength and endurance against the challenges and difficulties of life.  

One of the earliest examples of standing firm is found in Exodus 14:13. The Israelites were whining because Moses had brought them out of Egypt and times were tough. At this point the Egyptians had chased them to the edge of the Red Sea. "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” 

In the New Testament we hear Jesus’ words as he was teaching his disciples, telling them what they might expect as they in turn were making more disciples -- "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22. 

Later, when Paul had just completed a lengthy discourse to the church at Corinth, he concluded with these words, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58. 

Recently I heard something that caused me to think about motion even in standing firm, which at first seems a bit odd. But then I remembered a time when we lived in Austria -- 

One winter when we lived at Haus Edelweiss, we had a period of weather they called hurricanes. For about 10 days the winds blew continually and extremely hard (about 70km or 45mph with gusts up to 60mph). The sound it made in the trees on the mountain above us was amazing—even in our solidly built block house we could hear it. Walking against it as we crossed campus from building to building was immensely difficult.  

Jim and I had been house bound long enough when the hurricane warnings were lifted. Even though there were still strong winds we decided to go for a walk on the logging road high up on the mountain. I remember we had walked quite a distance and rounded a bend that would take us down the mountain into the village of Heiligenkreuz. When we rounded the bend, the wind almost knocked me down. I stopped and planted my feet, standing firm – it was difficult to not be moved by the wind, but I could do it. The wind would subside a bit and I would walk on only to have to plant my feet as it blew harder, waiting until it subsided again so I could move on. 

I could have played it safe and sat down – the wind would not have moved me then. But neither would I have had those moments when I could walk on toward Heiligenkreuz. 

I think God is telling us something similar in scripture when he tells us to stand firm – now each time I read or hear that phrase in scripture I notice that it is followed by some sort of action.  

Read those verses again and notice the action involved – 

Exodus 14:13:  Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” 

Matthew 10:22: “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” 

1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

Similar to the way I had to work on that logging road to stand firm against the wind in order to arrive at my destination, we each must work to stand firm in life in order to move in the direction God calls us. Ephesians 6: 13-17 gives us equipment for standing firm.  

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Properly armored we can stand against the winds of life and move forward as they subside!