Standing Firm

It is a time of great uncertainty with trade wars, economic turmoil, nations rising against nations, great earthquakes, horrendous accidents, fires, floods, tornadoes, diseases and famine. As I am writing this article, a major search is underway for survivors in a night club in the Dominican Republic, that had its roof cave in on patrons. So far, over a hundred people have been found dead. We never know what will happen in the next moment like the victims of this tragic accident, which took the lives of many famous and influential people. These incidents are not respecters of persons, and remind us that anything can happen at anytime, anywhere to anyone. This is all occurring in an era where people are seeking their pleasures and own self-interests whether it is for their country, family or individually, which goes against the Bible that tells us to prefer others and to do good to even those who hate us. We may be focused on our financial outlook while other parts of the world are monitoring various outbreaks. In Central and Eastern Africa clade I mpox is of concern, which is a form of monkey-pox disease. Uganda is having an outbreak of a type of Ebola and there have been outbreaks of Oropouche reported in parts of Brazil and Panama. You may not have heard of this fever, but it is spread by bites from mosquitoes or midges which are small flies. And outbreaks of diseases have not been restricted to remote areas of the world, but within the last few months the United States has seen an increase of cases of Salmonella, Listeria and measles. Then there are countries facing famine or extreme hunger including Sudan, South Sudan, Northern Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Haiti. But we may not even realize what is happening in other parts of the world because we have our own problems to deal with. However, Jesus had already said all these things would happen.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Matthew 24:4-8

We are in the midst of all this right now, and we may not be aware of all that is happening throughout the world as news reports are sparse about what is taking place in some regions. Most of the world is experiencing some sort of “storm” right now whether it is a natural disaster, a financial crash, an illness or so much more. However, when these crises hit, we must not be shaken like the stock markets throughout the world which fluctuate, influenced by whatever occurs, including consumer confidence, and tariffs or no tariffs. We cannot be this fickle as Christians because whatever we face, God is with us as long as we continue obeying Him. Therefore, our confidence should be in Him. Jesus said that we shouldn’t be afraid as these things must happen. If any Christian is saying anything different, they may be misleading us when they tell us only about peace and prosperity. We need to be very careful about the voices we are listening to. Instead, we should be bold and courageous and stand firm in the midst of the problems because we will continue facing trials of many kinds. And while we stand still, we will see God work on our behalf.

You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” Joshua 3:8

The biggest problem for Israel right then was the Jordan River which was a great hindrance for them to go to the Promised Land. But the Lord commanded the priests to step in it and stand still. They had to be in the problem and stand firm in it before God would part the waters for the nation of Israel to move into the Promised Land.

And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. Joshua 3:17

We want comfort and we do not want to suffer, so we try to run away from the problem, yet that may be the very thing we have to stand firm in for God to move on our behalf to fulfil His promises in our lives. Suffering is essential in Christian growth as it shapes us into the likeness of Christ and builds our faith depending on how we respond to what we encounter. So, as Christ suffered, we must share in His suffering.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:12-17

When we are in Christ, we will be strengthened through whatever we are facing. We should not trust in our power and strength, or that of others but rather put our complete trust in the sovereign Lord. We must be deeply rooted in Christ so that no matter what happens we can stand firm and even bear good fruit in the midst of a drought or a storm.

Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. “For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8