Stand Your Ground

What do you do when you have done all you knew how to do? You’ve prayed, fasted, praised but you still hear silence. What’s your next step when you are seeking change but all you see are the same scenes replaying over and over again in your life? What do you do when you are just plain tired? You stand. Come on, Ebony! Is that all you have for me? I know…doesn’t sound super spiritual and deep enough, right? But that’s the answer. In this season, God is looking for those that will stand on His Word. He is looking for those that will stand firm despite attacks, lack, and struggle. Will all the people that are hanging on by a thread stand up? Will all those counting down to the end of 2013 to be rid of this long year wave your arms? God is speaking to you! He is sending a clear message right now. ‘Stand up, man of God! Rise up, woman of God! I am here to hold you up and fight for you if you will just stand your ground.’

There is so much going on that can take your focus off of God’s plan for your life. Life continues to happen, people continue to be people, and the enemy continues to work. I know your walk. I know you are a prayer warrior, a faster, a believer but I’ve seen you struggle with how to reconcile your faith with what you see happening in your circumstance. I’ve seen the lost look on your face as you try to figure out where to go from here, just waiting for a word that would get you back on track. Paul says it best in Ephesians 6:13. “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.” (NKJV) Listen, if you can’t get the strength up to fight, ask God to cover you with His armor and stand as He holds you up! When you are at a point where the attacks come more than the peace, it’s time to battle! But you are not fighting alone. You have the Head Strategist on your team and He’s told you that if you will just stand, He will protect you. The Message Bible really made me feel this thing today and I wanted to share it with you.  

“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and He wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Eph. 6:10-18 MSG)

Folks, if you have done all you know how to do, give it to God. It’s time to stop trying to handle things on your own. You are not strong enough but God is and He says “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10a NKJV) Paul was in jail, saints! If anyone understood attack and desperation, it was Paul. But he is encouraging you to use the equipment that God has supplied you, stand your ground and let God carry you through. I believe that if you will take your eyes off of what you see and put them on the Lord, you will begin to feel the strength come back in your legs. You will feel the firmness stir up in your back. You will feel the power of the God who has a plan for your life and a Word that won’t come up short. “God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? (Num. 23:19 NLT) Stand up, man of God! Rise up, woman of God! The battle just shifted in your favor…AMEN