I like the feeling of Making Progress; of getting somewhere; of moving forward! But there are those times when looking at the needs and circumstances that are on "today's plate" stops me in my tracks, wishing there were a detour around the difficulties. Evidently, I am not alone.
When the Israelites were coming out of Egypt after 400 years in slavery, they were definitely making progress! God's Big Picture plan was advancing, their bags were packed, and they were Moving! But then they came to a screeching halt at the Red Sea with mountains on either side and an Egyptian army advancing from behind.
When the Israelites were coming out of Egypt after 400 years in slavery, they were definitely making progress! God's Big Picture plan was advancing, their bags were packed, and they were Moving! But then they came to a screeching halt at the Red Sea with mountains on either side and an Egyptian army advancing from behind.
At that moment, they just wanted to disappear out of the situation. But what does Moses say?
"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. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex. 14:13, 14
Don't panic and don't run! Watch this--God is going to fight for you. You are not stuck in your situation.
The believers that heard about Jesus through Paul faced unbelievable odds of living godly in their sensually-soaked cultures with antagonistic worldviews battering them, and caustic remarks being made about them. So what was Paul's encouragement them? "Get out there and make a difference!"? No--it was to STAND.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Ephesians 6:11-13
After Epaphras had left the young believers at Colossae and joined Paul, he wrestled in prayer for his friends. What was he asking for? Great progress and advancements? Actually, it was that they would "stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Colossians 4:12 Simply standing firm, not giving ground, was deepening and maturing the believers.
If what you are facing is making you want to run and hide, be encouraged from Jude 24, 25:
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
"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. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex. 14:13, 14
Don't panic and don't run! Watch this--God is going to fight for you. You are not stuck in your situation.
The believers that heard about Jesus through Paul faced unbelievable odds of living godly in their sensually-soaked cultures with antagonistic worldviews battering them, and caustic remarks being made about them. So what was Paul's encouragement them? "Get out there and make a difference!"? No--it was to STAND.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Ephesians 6:11-13
After Epaphras had left the young believers at Colossae and joined Paul, he wrestled in prayer for his friends. What was he asking for? Great progress and advancements? Actually, it was that they would "stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Colossians 4:12 Simply standing firm, not giving ground, was deepening and maturing the believers.
If what you are facing is making you want to run and hide, be encouraged from Jude 24, 25:
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
RSS Feed
