Stand Firm

2 Chron 20:15b, 17a, Is 7:9b, Eph 6:13b,14, 12 For the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. After you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place... For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  

So many times in our everyday lives, we are encouraged to compromise to keep the peace. After all, a little compromise won't cause problems. Will it? We can only answer with the gospel of peace and truth that the Word of God has given us. Compromise in the lives of the Israelites cost them God's peace and sent them into slavery. It caused God to take the Shekinah glory from the temple of Jerusalem because His people chose to serve other gods. 

When we are willing to stand firm in our faith, we will not be swayed by fads or the preferences of others. It may be one of the most difficult decisions we make but it does make a difference to the God we have chosen to serve. He has asked us to stand firm in the presence of great pressures. He has asked us to not be like the waves of the sea, blown and tossed by the winds.  

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 
We are promised trials and temptations in this life. The Bible tells us not if but when we face trials in our lives. Those who stand firm will receive the crown of life. We will stand before the Eternal Judge and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He will invite us to share in our Master's happiness. We will stand in the temple of God and sing with the saints, "Holy, Holy, Holy." We will see the Shekinah glory that lights the New Jerusalem. 
 ​