Stand Firm

We are in a spiritual battle each and every day. There is an enemy that is always lurking and waiting for the right moment of weakness in us to find their way into our minds and hearts. Today, we are going to look at the topic of standing firm. God has called us to stand firm in our faith, so we can withstand the attacks. Join me in prayer first before we get started.

God, I am so thankful that I have You. There are so many times in life when it gets hard, so I pray that You help me to stand firm in my faith and in my relationship with You. This is the only way that I will be able to withstand the attacks from the enemy. Help me to open my heart and mind to Your truths today.

1 Peter 5:8-10 (NLT)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

Confession…you know those shows on Animal Planet or National Geographic that are documentaries on animals in the wild? I think those are great! We have all probably watched the scene where there’s a lion hiding in the tall grass waiting to attack their prey. Usually that prey will be the weakest of the group, because that will be the easiest one for the lion to attack. The lion wants the easy target, the one they know they will be able to get. In today’s passage, Peter talks about how our greatest enemy, the devil, is like that lion from the documentary; he’s just waiting and circling for someone to take control of.

The enemy will come after us when we are at our weakest. Job 1:7 says, “Where have you come from? the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” The enemy will sense our times of weakness. He will sense when you are feeling alone, helpless, or weak. He will know when you are not going to your community and asking for prayers. When the tough times come, how do you react? Do you internalize those feelings?

Don’t be so consumed in your struggle that you are caught off guard while not staying alert to the schemes of the enemy. It is during those times of struggle when we are the most vulnerable. In those times, do not turn your back. Face the struggle head on with God by your side, with your community by your side. Stand firm in knowing that no matter what comes your way, your faith is solid. God will be the one defending you from the attack. Has there been a time in your life when you knew you had to stay focused on God and His promises, instead of the struggle you were going through?

Standing firm in the midst of struggle means that you will not waiver. You will not be moved by the attacks coming toward you. Whatever the enemy is using to try and break you, it will not succeed because you are standing firm in the truth and promises of God. Practically, what does this look like? This looks like being intentional in your prayer and devotion time, active in worship, looking to your community of believers for help, diving into His word. Doing these things will build your foundation, so that when the attacks come…and they will come….you are prepared and strong, knowing that with God's help you’ll be able to stand firm against those attacks. You will know that what you are going through will ultimately make that foundation stronger and stronger.

We need to depend on God’s strength during our struggles, in order to be able to stand firm against the attacks. Stay focused, calm, alert and strong knowing that God is fighting for you. As you reflect on this, pray! Pray that God will help build your foundation. You can pray on your own, or if you need some help getting started, you can use the prompts below.

God, I feel like the attacks are strong. Please help me to lean into You during these times…

Lord, I pray that You help me to continue to stand firm against the attacks…

Jesus, I thank You that you are with me through the hard times. I pray that I am able to continually strengthen my foundation…

I hope that today you are able to face any struggles with God by your side. Lean into Him at all times, so that when the hard times come, you can stand firm.