Stand Fast, Take Courage
by “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).
Here is some encouragement to seasoned warriors, for people who have lived long enough in this life to have had their struggles, learned from them, and are still standing to march on. We all have access to God and He wants us to encourage each other, so this is your encouragement to stand fast in the Lord.
Why are big battles difficult? Because we are mortal, the outcome unknown, and because the battle is real and not in theory. In a real battle you are forced to fight because God, the general, is the one who puts you there and asks you to take this ground. And take it you must, even in your imperfect, fallible state.
So how do you approach a battle? Focus. Focus on something bigger stronger and more stable than you are. Focus on the One who says He will go before you and be your rear guard, on the One who gives you your weapons, ‘the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit,’ and who teaches you how to use them to their fullest. Focus on the One who has everything in perfect control and is working it out for much good for His kingdom in ways that even you can’t know. And, focus on the One who, even if you were to get a little bit beat up in the process, will scoop you up in His arms and hold you.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).
That is our goal for all battles that will come our way –to focus on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who bought us with the blood of Jesus and is conquering the world for Himself somehow using our trials to do it. It is a privilege and an honor to be so used.
So stand fast. Take Courage.
John 16:33 states the words of our Lord: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”