"Stand Up"

“Stand Up”

A form of a familiar adage (attributed to, among others, Rev. Peter Marshall and early American leader Alexander Hamilton) says, “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.” This may appear to be in conflict with my previous posting “Stand Down” but which one is appropriate depends on the facts of a given situation. Both have their challenges but remember to “…approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, emphasis added).

It can be uncomfortable to stand up for what’s right when the wrong is popular or seemingly in control. But throughout the pages of Scripture we find examples of those who did just that. How about Joshua and Caleb, who stood against the tide of public opinion after they and ten others spied out Canaan and who alone said, “We can do it because God is with us!” (See Numbers 13 and 14). Or Elijah, a minority of one when he encountered 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel, who prayed for God to reveal Himself to rebellious Israel and received His answer by fire from Heaven (1 Kings 18). And let’s not forget Jesus’ apostles, who when told to keep quiet and not teach in His name responded to the religious leaders, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29). In each case God honored His servants for standing up for Him, His truth and His purposes.

We’re living in difficult days in which the truth of Jesus’ words to His disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion is more and more apparent: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first…In this world you will have trouble.” (John 15:18; 16:33). But He concludes with words of hope: “But take heart. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, emphasis added). A generation later Paul described the resource God provided for those of his day who were facing hard times (and which are there for us today): “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…Stand firm….” (Ephesians 6:11-14, emphasis added). He then goes on to tell of the spiritual tools at our disposal to defend ourselves as well as our two offensive weapons: God’s Word and prayer (Verses 14-18).

So how will I answer the summons from an old hymn, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”? How will you?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan