THE FAITH THAT STANDS

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND” – Ephesians 6:13

GOD can calm any storm! But when He chooses not to, then it’s time to trigger the FAITH THAT STANDS: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND” (Eph.6:13). There comes a time in every life when we face the choice to flee or stand. We are given the opportunity to persist in the midst of something so much bigger than us and patiently wait on God’s saving grace. When the giant Goliath threatened the people of Israel like an unassailable storm, it took David’s FAITH that stands to overcome! By the time the giant fell, David continued to stand: “Therefore David ran and STOOD over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled” (1Sam.17:51).

When it comes to the battles and storms we face, anyone can flee in fear or cringe in terror. It takes no courage to concede defeat. It takes a courageous heart of faith to withstand and STAND! God invites us in His Word to join “the good fight of faith” (1Tim.6:12). He did not promise that the war will be easy or wading through the storm rosy, but He assured that if we hide ourselves in Him – putting on His whole armour – He will fight the battle for us and let us share in the Victory: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2Cor.2:14). “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psa. 31:24).

Standing signifies readiness and preparedness; the attitude of constancy and consistency. God is the Strength of the Standing Saint; and he cannot be easily moved: “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psa.62:2). God will cause you to stand before, during and after storm, as He strengthens your inner man through the disposition of your will. He is ever ready for those who are ready for Him to transform and use them. You need to be guided by the Lord through the storm. So, keep your eyes always on Him. A momentary shift of his gaze from the Lord caused Peter who was walking on water, to begin to sink (Mt.14:29-30). With the Lord at your right hand, you will not be shaken:  “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psa.16:8).  

Storms are inevitable on this side of eternity. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN. We must be ready and prepared, if we would not be taken unawares. To stand strong throughout the storms of life we need God’s Presence and Strength continually. We need to confidently trust in Him before the storms come: “above all, taking the shield of FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (v.16). Times of storms are perilous times, when lives, valuables, and properties are vulnerable. During life’s storms, some friends betray and abandon each other. In today’s world, millions of Christians face storms of persecution for their faith in Christ. Presently, the world is facing the storm of a pandemic pestilence. But we know that, “when the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous STAND firm forever” (Pro.10:25 NIV).

What you do while the storms last may define the next season of your life. And after the storm, you would have learnt timeless lessons to teach others secrets of overcoming. Our assurance in every storm that we go through should always be in the Blood of Jesus and the Word (Rev.12:11). As “more than conquerors” in Christ, our faith shall stand to taste the Victory! (Rom.8:37).