Day 11: Stand Firm
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” (v. 17)
The Bible gives us many examples of men and women who stood firm in their faith.
I’m reminded of Noah who built an ark, Rahab who hid and protected spies, and Daniel’s friends who were thrown in a fiery furnace.
My life seems ordinary in comparison. What does it mean for Christian men and women in Billings, Montana to stand firm in our faith? After all, most of us are just going about our everyday lives of work, raising children, and checking items off our to-do lists.
The monotony of life requires us to flex our spiritual muscles to be faithful in whatever season or set of circumstances God has us in right now. It requires strength to endure.
Strength is working with integrity when it’s easier to cut corners. Strength is parenting with patience when you’re exhausted and exasperated by needy children. Strength is enduring chronic pain and showing up for doctor’s appointments. Strength is saying “enough is enough” with a consuming habit and pursuing counseling and treatment.
We can walk humbly with God in our everyday circumstances. We can ask for help in our church community. We can value the work of the Spirit within us, even when it’s hard. We can repent when we are wrong. We can choose the path of sacrificial love when we want to throw in the towel.
We can stand firm, one day at a time, in our very ordinary lives. The ordinary, lived day-in and day-out with consistency, leads to one extraordinary life.
Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Today’s encouragement: Think about the life God has given you. What has he asked you to do today? Lean on him for supernatural strength.
Prayer: God, thank you for the many blessings in my life. You’ve given me so much to steward and I want to do it well. Help me to stand firm. Thank you for fresh mercy every morning.