I am a greeter at church this morning, which requires a lot of standing. One of the hardest things for me to do physically is to stand for any length of time. It is much easier to walk.
One of the hardest things to do spiritually is also to stand. Standing in the face of fear, or opposition, or difficulties is challenging. Standing when the winds of circumstances are blowing against you is downright tough.
Yet, standing is what we must do – standing firm in the face of false accusations, in time of trials and personal attacks. I was listening (again) to Rick Rigsby’s famous commencement speech the other day, “Lessons from a third-grade dropout.” I was reminded of the fortitude it takes to simply stand as he recounted the last words of advice his father gave him. As they stood at the casket of Rigsby’s beloved wife, his dad said to him, “Son, just stand.” Meaning “don’t ever give up.”
That’s what Paul is saying to us in Ephesians 6:10-18 … son, daughter, just stand – don’t ever give up. Put on the full armor that God supplies and stand against the devil’s schemes aimed at you. Just stand!
“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 NIV]
Take a minute and read Ephesians 6:10-18. Be the person God has called you to be no matter what comes against you! Just Stand!