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Prepare To Stand

Ever had one of those days when everything that can go wrong does? At those times even little problems seem like a crisis. We remind ourselves what the Word says and we persistently make our confessions, but when exhaustion hits and happiness escapes, the temptation to doubt becomes great.

I have experienced many days like this and I’m sure you have also. In fact, as days turn to weeks and weeks to months, it is easy to develop cracks and leaks in our faith. That is when our strength diminishes and we find ourselves growing more and more discouraged. Even the most devout Christian is not exempt from those "bad days".

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but life doesn’t stop because we are having a bad day. In spite of the difficult things we face, we still have to function in "who we are". We may as well prepare ourselves to face the realism, because it isn’t going away. The doctor is never free of exams. The teacher is never free of students. The preacher is never free of sermon preparation. The musician can never stop practicing and the salesman must make sales.

Since life’s steady pace is not likely to change to accommodate us, we must prepare ourselves to stand. That means looking to the Word of God for affirmation and strength. It means placing our trust in God’s promises and our hope in His principles. It means believing with all of our heart that nothing is impossible with God. Therefore, we hold on to the Word regardless to what comes in to disturb our routine.

I don’t claim to be the smartest Christian, but I have learned some things from experience. And when I write about those experiences, my purpose is to bring edification to those who read our words. As a new Christian, I was very naive. When Christians said they were saved, I believed them. I didn’t understand how a person could shout and speak in tongues, then turn around and backbite. It never occurred to me that a person would ask for forgiveness with no intent of ever changing his ways. Therefore, I spent many years dealing with some of the most narrow minded short sighted Christians you ever met. It’s good to always try and see the best in people, but it doesn’t mean we lay down discernment. Any God ordained ministry must have as it’s foundation the integrity of God’s Word.

Ecclesiates 9:11 says,...the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Life here carries no guarantees, especially for the Christian. That is why it’s vital that we fill our heart with God’s Word and stay in His presence. That way the swift currents of negativism and unfair circumstances will not sweep us downstream. Like the player who missed the game winning shot, you don’t throw in the towel and quit the game. you go back to the gym, you run and practice, you stay in top physical condition and prepare to compete. And every second you’re in the game, you play with aggression and persistency. Expect every shot you throw up to go in, and every play to be a big play.

The Apostle Paul face a lot of negative situation, yet nothing caught him unprepared. His resume is found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-26; ...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prison more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathern, in perils in the city, in perils I the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethern; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Paul prepared to stand for Christ and succeeded, even though it eventually costed his life. If Paul could stand through all he went through, then surely we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

You may be wondering whether or not I have ever thought about giving up. Let me settle that for you; Yes, I have. I thought about it, but I couldn’t. You see, in order to give up, I would have to believe that Jesus didn’t get the victory on Calvary and that the Word of God was powerless against the devil. Then I would have to deny all the blessings He’s given me, and frown upon how faithful He has been in keeping me all these years. I would have to look back on what I was and what I am today and say I did it myself through will-power. Then I would have to give up hope and live my life without joy and peace. When I thought about all I would have to give up, I realized it would take more faith to go back on God than to believe and go forward. Listen, there is nothing that we face in this life that warrants giving up on Jesus Christ. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way Hebrews 10:39 (Message).

It will be impossible to stand on God’s Word unless we are willing to trust Him totally. We may not feel like trusting Him, but that is what we must do. There are many individuals who are called by God to walk out on His Word, but they are afraid to step out into deep waters. On one occasion, Jesus instructed His disciples to get on a ship and cross the sea to the other side. Well, they obeyed God, and wouldn’t you know it, they ran into a storm. It’s strange today how people equate obedience to God with smooth sailing. God would never send us into a situation unless He is there with us. Sure enough, Jesus came walking on the sea. When Peter realized that it was Jesus, he asked to come to Him. Jesus said, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid verse 27. At those words, Peter walked out on the water.

Listen, I know we all have pressures and demands that we deal with on a daily basis. But we do not have to become negative, pessimistic and fearful. Let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint Galatians 6:9 (AMP). Let’s make up our mind that we are going to hang in there, and be faithful to what we know is right in our hearts.