"Stand Down"

“Stand Down”

(Recently a friend texted Karen’s small group ladies a prayer for someone going through a personal struggle. Part of this petition to God was stated in these words: “Comfort, defend, ward off, love, provide and be our mighty God. May we stand up or stand down when needed.” {Emphasis added}. In this and the following piece I hope to show how there’s a time for both. But since not acting when we might want to {standing down} is often harder than standing up I’m reversing the order expressed in the prayer.)

From time to time a military or law enforcement unit is given a command to “stand down”. By this the superior instructs his or her subordinates to take no further aggressive action in a given situation. There are usually good reasons for issuing such an order (e.g. to allow time for a peaceful resolution or minimize the risk of making things more dangerous) but sometimes it comes from a personal agenda or reluctance to deal with a crisis proactively. But the underlings are obligated to obey the directive whether or not they agree with it.

Many years ago I went through a ministry crisis and was anxious and determined to prove myself right. In the midst of my turmoil I received a letter from my Uncle Al in Arizona saying in effect that I needed to “stand down”, give it to God and learn from the experience. I did, and with Karen’s and others’ loving support God brought me through. (For a further look at this godly gentleman see the article “What Really Matters”.) By God’s grace I learned that “The suffering (he) sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to (his) principles.” (Psalm 119:71, NLT).

Peter wrote his first letter to encourage his fellow believers as they faced trials and persecution for their faith. He counsels them (and us today) to “stand down” as Jesus did (“…Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps…Whenthey hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate….”—1 Peter 2:21,23, emphasis added). Paul admonishes his readers, “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God.” (Romans 12:19, NLT, emphasis added). Just as soldiers and police officers must follow their commanders’ orders, we must follow the directives our Commander gives. Hard? Probably. But “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, emphasis added).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan