Standing Firm upon the Rock of Faith

Throughout my journey through scripture, there is one continual phrase (in both the Old and New Testaments) that sticks out to me every time I read it- stand firm.

To me, stand firm means to remain planted/grounded in an unshakable foundation. This unshakable foundation should be JESUS and the divine hope we find in him. There are countless instances throughout the Old and New Testament where people (typically God's people) tremble in fear and flee in response to an adversary. As a result, standing firm requires steadfast faith. Now according to Hebrews, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).

Whenever stand firm appears in the Bible, the context is a statement of preparation. The audience of the passage in scripture is to prepare for an enemy of some kind. In the Bible, there are always adversaries who stand in opposition to the Lord's people.

For example, in Exodus, Moses and the Israelites were making their escape to the Promised Land but there was a great army opposing their retreat, Pharaoh's army. Moses watched as the people reacted in terror and responded with this statement, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today" (Exodus 14:13). Moses was preparing the Israelites to be steadfast in their faith; to stand on the solid foundation that is their Lord.

In a practical sense, stand firm means to stay grounded. In a biblical sense, to stand firm means to rely on the faith you have in Christ to keep you grounded. Therefore, in order to stand firm, faith must be exercised. An individual without a strong faith foundation will fall every time he or she is faced with opposition from an adversary.

In Matthew, Jesus tells a story of a wise man and foolish man. The wise man built his house on a firm and steady rock (an unshakable foundation) whereas the foolish man built his house on the ever-shifting sand. When the adversaries of rain and wind came, the wise man's house did not budge, but the foolish man's house crumbled beneath him because there was no solid foundation.

To stand firm means to be unwavering. The foundation of faith is a powerful weapon against the enemy. In fact, in Ephesians 6, Paul describes faith as a shield against the devil's fiery arrows. Faith is a defense but it is also an offense because it is God who goes before us and fights our battles. When we stand firm upon our faith, the battle is His!

Another instance of stand firm is found in Philippians 1 and states, "Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). In this passage, Paul is commissioning other Christians to be prepared to stand firm as one spirit in Christ. For their faith in Jesus alone would be their sole defense against the continual persecution of Christians and the Word of God was their sword.

Paul affirms our battle stance in 2 Corinthians 10:3, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have the power to demolish strongholds."

When we stand firm, we give God the permission/ability to fight for us! BUT when we waver in our faith, we give the devil a foothold.

James illustrates this sentiment in stating, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does" (James 1:5-6).

The man James is describing is similar to the one who builds his house on sand. Since he is double minded and tosses back and forth, his foundation is not firm in the Lord and he will either flee or fall when faced with adversaries. Those without a strong faith foundation will not be able to stand firm.

In 1 Peter, Peter reminds us that the adversary of soul (Satan) is REAL and alive. Therefore, Peter warns, "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers through the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Whenever the term stand firm appears in the Bible, God is preparing his people for a greater battle. In turn, to be battle ready, our faith must be unwavering- strong in the foundation that is Christ. For when the wind blows (and it will), it will uproot those with ever-shifting foundations. Faith is the foundation upon which we stand, so- stand firm.