BE STEADY
Jack Davis
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…” Rev. 3:11-12a.
The Apostle Paul spoke in Philippians three, of winning Christ. Here we read of crown winners. Those that win Jesus Christ as their bridegroom will be crown winners. These are they who are overcoming here and now, and are thus being make pillars to stand and uphold. This is an important part of being ready for our Lord’s return. We overcome by holding to, and standing fast for that which we’ve been given. Thankful hearts appreciate that which has been committed to our trust.
A WINNING TRAIT
“But thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” I Cor. 15:57-58.
It is scripturally evident that “steadfastness” is one of the essential characteristics of an overcomer. If it is required, it will be rewarded. In thankfulness for the victory that God has given us through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are urged to “STEADFASTNESS.” In resurrection hope of Christ’s return we are given a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls Heb. 6:18-19, I am impressed how strongly Paul encouraged it, and was encouraged by the steadfastness of the brethren. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong” I Cor. 16:13. “Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render unto God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before God: I Thess. 3:7-9. “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” Col. 2:5. He was thus blessed by hearing of faithful soldiers who could keep rank.
I think brother Paul sounds somewhat disappointed and very lonely in II Tim. 4:10-16. He had seen some departures, some removed to other fields, responsibilites, others finish their course, and others like Demas depart for selfish reasons. I am glad to hear him sound a word of cheer in verses 17-18. I am reminded of Psalm 142:3-5, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
We understand that fuller partakership in Christ is to be realized in continued steadfast confidence Heb. 3:14. Beloved the race is almost over. The battle is on, and steadfastness in the faith is a necessity. “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” Phil. 1:27. Steadfast resistance of our adversary is done in the faith I Pet. 5:9. It seems that most of God’s people are painfully slow at learning where the strength for stability is found. We are enabled to stand only as we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might. We stand as our loins are girted about with truth Eph. 6:10,14.
STEADY HANDS
Moses, sent Joshua out to fight against Amalck. Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill overlooking the battleground. Moses took the rod of God in his hand and when he held it up Israel prevailed in battle, but when he let it down Amalek prevailed. So Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him, and stayed up Moses’ hands on either side. Moses’ hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Therefore Joshua defeated Amalek Ex. 17:9-13. They who stand for the whole counsel of God today also need their hands upheld. Let us encourage each other for victory.
STAND IN YOUR PLACE
Judges 6-8 as a form of correction the Midianites were allowed to prevail against Israel. Therefore the Israelites were hiding in dens, and caves, and strongholds. Their enemies destroyed their crops and left them no sustenance. Israel being so greatly impoverished cried unto the Lord. Then the Lord raised up Gideon, who was not a self confident or self sufficient man. We see God working in him to make him ready to stand. This unlikely man was divinely prepared to lead to glorious victory an unlikely band, with some very unorthodox implements of warfare in their hands. Gideon needed assurance for himself from the Lord, and he faced though opposition at home. But then a multitude of Midianites, and Amalekites and children of the east gathered to lay siege against the in the valley of Jezreel. When they did, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. He blew the trumpet and gathered a goodly army after him. This was an amazing feat in itself, yet Godeon needed further confirmation. God so graciously gave it, with the fleece, and hearing of the dream and it’s interpretation in the Midian camp.
Before they went to war God twice greatly reduced Gideon’s army. First God had Gideon send home all those that were “fearful and afraid.” God was going to use those that would stand in the face of overwhelming odds. (Paul urged “stand fast in one spirit…in nothing terrified by your adversaries” Phil. 1:27). Gideon saw his army go from twenty two thousand to ten thousand men. God had the remaining men go down to the water to be proven yet further. We must remember that this was a most dangerous moment, there was a multitude ready to attack. Those men that gave themselves to satisfying their legitimate thirst and bowed themselves on their knees to drink, were sent home. Satisfying their desire seemed more important then the security of their people. Those that lifted the water to their mouth were the three hundred that remined. Those alert and erect would be more quickly ready for battle. God chose those that would stand. He used this test to close up the ranks. Now spiritually speaking we stand best on our knees. We do well to be alert to the times wherein we live.
Gideon and is men surrounded the camp of their enemy by night armed with trumpets, pitchers, lamps and faith in their God. “By faith they turned to fight the armies of aliens” (Heb. 11:34). They were part of those who through faith subdued kingdoms. When they blew the trumpets brake the pitchers, and held forth the lamps, and shouted the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. “They stood every an in his place all the host ran and cried and fled. Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel.” Our Father records such victories to encourage us to spiritual stability. We each may be used to strengthen the other and will be rewarded for standing in our God-given place. Ezekiel was called on the warn his people. “Ye have not gone up into the gaps neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord Eze. 13:5. “I sought for a man among them…but found none.” Eze. 22:30.
WHO WILL STAND
There are those that make gaps, some are used to fill them, and others that stand in them. If all went off in different directions and left all responsibility behind who would stay by the stuff? Neglect is easy, we can make all kinds of excuses for being unfaithful, but our Lord wants to make us pillars that stand and support. When we are unfaithful, we make it more difficult for others to fill the gap, covering more territory and taking greater responsibility. This works good for those upon whom it falls, but is not so beneficial for the slackers. Thank God that in the times of falling away He widen His pillars and raise up new ones. There are times we feel weak, faint, unstable, anything but steadfast and unmoveable. In those times we are learning to lean hard upon Him who is our rock. He would be our stay, make us steady, enable us to stand Rom. 14:4. David’s song of praise when the Lord delivered him (Psa. 18:17-19) “The Lord was my stay.” God delights to make any who depend upon him, dependable. He is our firm support, our upholder.
The love of Solomon’s life requested, “Stay me with flagons.” In other words she expected him to invigorate and sustain her as he poured on his intoxicating love. That’s how we feel as we lean on the bosom of our beloved. Apostle Paul said, “None of these things moved me neither counted I my life dear unto myself that I might finish my course with joy.” Soon we may join him. Glory to God, think of that.
