STAND FAST IN THE LORD
By Patricia Jackson
McDowell County
Paul writes a letter to the Philippians, thanking them for the gift they sent him. They were aware he was in jail in Rome. In V.1, Paul’s words to “Stand fast in the Lord” are more than encouragement. It is a commandment from Paul. He knew they too faced struggles, persecution and urged them to rejoice, regardless of their present circumstances. Paul spoke those words from his own experiences of serving God while enduring hardships. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul recounts his numerous beatings, imprisonment, receiving lashes, being stoned, shipwrecked, facing hunger and thirst. In his self, Paul could only stand “in the Lord.” He suffered for Christ’s sake, “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10.
Many other notables in the Bible continued to “stand fast in the Lord.” Young David “hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.” Daniel is another great man who had committed that he would die instead of serving a false God. Moses, Abraham, Stephen, Sampson, and others stood fast because they realized they were not standing alone but in the Lord.
Our standing must always be combined with “in the Lord,” for we cannot do it alone. We first stood fast in the Lord when we surrendered our life to Jesus Christ and trusted him for salvation. With Jesus, we never stand alone as we gain strength and courage to overcome our circumstances.
You may be familiar with the Christian hymnal entitled “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. In 1858, George Duffield, Jr. assisted a fellow minister (Dudley Tyng) in a Pennsylvania revival. Five thousand men attended, with over one thousand converts. Tyng died the following month in a farming accident. Duffield wrote the song based on the revival message and recited the hymn as a tribute to his friend.
Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross. Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
Our difficulties are nothing compared to Paul and others in the Bible, as we Stand Fast in the Lord.
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Patricia Jackson is the Assistant Teacher for the Ladies Class at Redeemed Free Will Baptist Church, Glenwood, NC. She is a grant writer for non-profits, a published author and retired Nursing Home Administrator. She lives in Rutherford County with her husband. Contact information: email address: wyo2go@bellsouth.net.
You can read more good Christian news from Patricia HERE.
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