Monday Morning Devotion-September 17, 2018

Stand Fast

Therefore, my brothers…stand fast in the Lord.   Philippians 4:1

     What does it mean to "stand fast."   Basically, it means to stay right where you.  That is an instruction not only to stay where you are physically standing but it can also mean where you are mentally.  Don't move.  Don't change a thing.

            This was Paul's instruction to the church at Philippi.  He is telling the brothers to stay where they are physically and philosophically. He urges them to put aside their differences, agree and work together.             

            The Voice Bible says: "Notice what Paul says doesn't come naturally.  It is learned.  The normal, natural state of humanity is discontent and quiet desperation."  Hmm!  When you think about it that is true to a great extent.  There is a lot of negativity out there searching for a place to settle in and cause unrest.  That's why we are charged to stand fast in the Lord.  Only there can we be certain that we are standing on solid ground physically and/or intellectually.

            To "stand fast" could be considered similar, in part, to "stand your ground."  Both mean that you are to maintain your position, but stand your ground goes a little farther in that a law has been passed that enables people to defend themselves.

            From Wikipedia: "Stand-your-ground law establishes a right by which a person may defend themselves or others against threats or perceived threats, even to the point of applying lethal force, regardless of whether safely retreating from the situation might have been possible."

            While the Biblical version "standing fast" doesn't saying anything about taking physical action it does imply that it is important to stay where you are.  Not to be physically pushed off a position or swayed to change your position mentally.

            What Paul said was that the important thing to keep in mind is to keep your eyes on Christ.  Dr. Joe Beauchamp (Couch Potato Ministries) writes: "When we take our eyes off of Christ, we put them on something or someone else.  Whatever or whoever it is has captured our focus."  That is what happens when we are not allowing the Lord to help us stand fast.

            Remember when Peter asked Jesus to enable him to walk on water to come alongside him.  When his focus was on Jesus he started to walk on water.  Then he looked away briefly and thought "Uh-oh this water is so deep if I start to sink I will drown."  Then you know what happened.  He did start to sink, but Jesus reached out and pulled him safely up and deposited him back in the boat.

            Doesn't that happen in our lives.  It's hard to stay continually focused on the Lord.  We get caught up in so many worldly things we forget to stand fast in our faith.  We start to worry and focus on the magnitude of our problem rather than the amazing unbeatable strength of our Savior.

            Remember what Jesus said in John 16:33 (New American Standard Version 1977) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world." 

            Sarah Young (Always Jesus) writes: "He is training us to feel secure in the midst of change and uncertainty.  It can be a relief to realize that you are not in control of your life.  When you accept this condition while resting in His Sovereignty you become increasingly free."

            She adds that "it's important to use your energies and abilities but do so prayerfully."

That's how we know that we need to stand fast until it is safe to move or understand that this place is exactly where the Lord intended for us to be.

            Peter used his strength and ability to climb over the side of the boat.  Thereafter, he was helpless to control his destiny.  That's when his focus on the One who actually could walk on water became critical.

            John Ortberg wrote a book that has meant a lot to me.  It challenged me to make some moves that I couldn't have seen coming beforehand.  It brought home the message that

my action was required but keeping my focus on where Jesus was leading was the important thing. 

            His book was called: "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat."

Such a simple, common sense statement.  But, it's after you get out of that boat that the important action occurs.  Sure, you've to get out of it first, then you need direction.  You need guidance.  You need leadership.  That can only come from the Lord.

            Sure there might be other people involved who will help you get to where you need to be to fulfill His plan for you.  But, first you stand fast, then, when the time is right you take the initial action that is required, but make sure your focus is on---"Is this where the Lord is leading me?"

            Ortberg says that in writing Peter's walk-on-water-story: "Matthew apparently wants us to understand that even for someone who has walked in faith for a while, storms can be a disruptive business."  Peter saw the wind and the waves, and his faith and focus began to desert him.

            The message for us is that we are called on to stay in the place, position or philosophy where we are until we understand where the Lord wants us to go.  Or does He want us to stay right where we are?

            Through prayer and meditation, if we determine that we are where He wants us to be, then we need to 'Stand Fast" and seek further guidance from Him

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Prayer:  Lord help us to understand when to stand fast and when to move ahead keeping our focus on You for guidance.  Amen!