May 13, 2020 “Having Done All…STAND!” Ephesians 6:13
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Can you imagine a soldier, in the heat of battle, deciding to turn and run away? Why would a soldier do such a thing? I might suggest 2 reasons. One could be that they simply do not love their country enough to fight for it. Another could be that they are simply afraid, a coward. Of course we know that we are all going to die, and there is no greater death than that that comes when fighting for a worthy cause. Now I ask, “Is there any greater cause than the cause of Christ?” Believer, the battle is ours, as a Christian. We are in a battle with Satan! Ephesians 6 tells us to, “Put on the whole armor of God.” Why do you think that we are given these clear instructions? Simply put, “So we can withstand the evil day and to be able to Stand up under the onslaught of Satan.” The Bible is full of scriptures that support the fact that God wants His soldiers, you and I, to be strong, courageous and dedicated. He wants us to be able to stand in the face of fear, and to be unmovable, even though we may be surrounded by the forces of Satan. Unfortunately, the battles can take place in our jobs, our neighborhoods, our families and even in our churches. Have you ever tried to fight someone who was “FOUR FEET” taller than you? Well, I have! Now, I know you are not going to doubt that someone was 4 feet taller, what you might doubt is my engaging them in battle. I was being “picked on” until I had had enough, so I stood up to this “Giant,” and guess what, he actually backed down. I really didn’t know what to do! I was expecting a battle, and he caved in. My “Giant” was a coward! Now, in the story of King David and the giant, Goliath, Goliath wasn’t a coward, he was just arrogant and cocky. In 1 Samuel 17:46-47, David said, “This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.” Notice, David says that the battle is not won with sword and spears. So, how is it to be won? It is won through the Power of God. God uses men and women and boys and girls that are not afraid to make a stand for Him and let Him work through them. But God can’t work through people who are “turn coats” and will not stand! There are times when we feel that we have done all that we can do and there is nothing else left, short of running away. The Bible says, “Having done all, STAND!” Storm clouds will gather, times will get tough, situations will change, events will be overwhelming, however, if God’s people will stand together and allow the Holy Spirit to work, the storm clouds will blow over and the times will ease up and situations will improve and events will become manageable. Your battle may not be a physical one, although it could be. Your stand is critical. There are others around you that are depending on you. There is no greater cause to stand for than the cause of Christ! If you doubt this truth, just spend a little more time with Him. He is there! Just as close as a prayer! Regardless of the present issues, GOD IS IN CONTROL AND HE WILL SEE US THROUGH! STAND UP, STAND TALL! Remember – “You are the son/daughter of a King who is not moved by the world! For your God is with you and goes before you. We do not f.ear because we are HIS!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!