When Moses and the Israelites were at the edge of the Red Sea with the Egyptians coming after them. What were they going to do? Looking in the faces of those people, Moses boldly told them, “Do not be afraid. STAND FIRM (yâtsab: remaining in place) and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord WILL FIGHT for you; you need only to BE STILL.” (Exodus 14:13-14) God clearly tells us for our encouragement, “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be EXALTED (rûm: set apart, no other God) in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10)
Paul told the saints at Corinth, “WATCH. STAND FIRM in the faith. Be BRAVE. Be STRONG. Be LOVING in everything you do.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
WE AS CHRISTIANS, NEED TO:
- WATCH: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. RESIST HIM, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH…and the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself RESTORE YOU and make you STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)
- STAND FIRM: “…put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND FIRM, and after you have done everything, to stand. STAND FIRM…” (Ephesians 6:13-14) Wearing ALL of God’s armor.
- BE BRAVE: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus Christ), because the one who IS IN YOU IS GREATER than the one who is IN THE WORLD.” (1 John 4:4)
- BE STRONG: Nehemiah said, “the joy of the LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.” (Nehemiah 8:10) “…BE STRONG IN THE LORD and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)
- BE LOVING: “The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But THE GREATEST OF THEM IS LOVE.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Why is this? Because “…love comes from God…Anyone who does not love DOES NOT KNOW GOD, because GOD IS LOVE.” (1 John 4:7-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham