~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Every so often in our lives something will happen that we have simply no control over. We haven’t done anything wrong. We are not being punished. There’s a situation for which we can “do” nothing. Of course, as humans we try to do everything possible – which can sometimes make things worse. But inevitably, we will come to the end of our rope – the end of what we can DO. So what then?
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be self-controlled [sober] and alert [watchful, vigilant]. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith...
BE self-controlled, sober (in thought, in speech, in action). BE alert, vigilantly watchful.
Why? For what?
The enemy. The devil. Because at that moment – at your very weakest point – your emptiness – your end of self – is the moment the devil will hit you with every single missile he has in his arsenal. He will convince you that it’s your fault. He will make you question God, even His very existence. He will bring about the strongest of temptations – something that would never phase you if you weren’t going through this weak point. And he will be relentless.
Resist the devil? Well why not just ask me to grow 3 inches in the next 10 minutes. How do I do that?
There are times when God asks us to ACT, to DO. And then there are times when He tells us to STAND. Just stop. Don’t “do” – just BE. Be what? Be standing.
Just standing? I don’t understand.
The only way to resist the devil is to stand firm in the faith.
It’s time to BE.
Ok. I don’t know. That sounds a bit scary to just stand here. I’m going to get picked off like a sitting duck.
Oh no, dear soul, there is safety in standing in faith! For just as Jesus said to Simon Peter, He also says to you:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” – Luke 22:31-32
Put your name in place of “Simon”. . .
Oh Connie, Connie, Connie… Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I, Jesus, have prayed for you, Connie, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen others around you.
Jesus has prayed for you … for this moment … when all seems lost … that your faith won’t fail.
And the wonder is, we don’t even have to lift a finger. We are told to simply STAND. Even if our FitBit tells us to get moving… to Stand.
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your position; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…” – 2 Chronicles 20:17
What if I’m too weak to stand? My knees are getting a little wobbly.
The truth is, we cannot even stand on our own strength. We try – but often we end up on our knees, cowering. But good news – we don’t have to stand on our own! We can stand in the Lord’s mighty power – in, by, and with HIS strength.
Finally, BE strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:10-11
So how does one do that?
Faith.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
So apparently I am making this too hard. I’m looking for a “clue”, a “hidden piece of information”, a “trick”. But there is no trick. It’s simple faith. Faith the size of a mustard seed.
As we discussed last week, we are being made an “example”, a “typoi” (back in verse 3 of 1 Peter 5).
And part of that example we are to BE, is to STAND in Faith. Sometimes very still. Not turning to the right or the left. Not fearing the armies coming against us. But standing and waiting . . .
So what’s the purpose? What’s the goal?
Let’s go back to 1 Peter 5 – verses 10-11
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you [make you perfect] and make you strong [stablish], firm [strengthen] and steadfast [settle you]. To him be the power [glory and dominion] forever and ever. Amen.
The goal of faith and getting through a struggle or trial with faith is not to be able to say “Whew, glad that’s over. Hope I don’t need that faith again for a while.” The goal is to live that same faith every single moment of every single day regardless of the size, scope, amount of struggles, joys, blue skies, gray skies, sickness, health, excess or famine.
The goal is to BE restored – to BE made perfect, complete in Him.
The goal is to BE made strong – established in Him.
The goal is to BE made firm – strengthened in Him.
The goal is to BE steadfast – to BE settled, sure, confident and immovable in Him.
So BE standing, dear soul. BE watchful. BE prayerful. Resist the devil by standing firm. These days will not last forever. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, these hard days seem small. They are mere tools making and remaking us into what we were designed to BE before the foundation of the earth.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will BE revealed in us. – Romans 8:18
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