The elephant that visited the entrance to the Serengeti reserve in Tanzania didn’t give up ground to anyone.
Our guides got quite agitated by how close we were willing to be with a lone bull elephant. We got pictures, but we quickly surrender the path to the elephant. After a few minutes, he slowly moved away but he reminded me of call from Scripture to stand firm.
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV ) Are you standing firm in these nine areas?
1. Stand Firm in Faith
- “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV)
- “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.” (2 Corinthians 1:24 NLT)
2. Stand Firm in the Power of God
- “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT)
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.” (Ephesians 6:3-14 MSG)
3. Stand Firm in the Grace of God
“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.” (1 Peter 5:12b NLT)
4. Stand Firm in Freedom
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
5. Stand Firm in Unity
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT)
6. Stand Firm in the Will of God
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” (Colossians 4:12 NIV)
7. Stand Firm in the Truth you have been taught
“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NIV)
8. Stand Firm in Expectation of Jesus’ Return
- “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8 NIV)
- “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22 NIV)
9. Stand Firm in Your Relationship with Christ Jesus.
- “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” (Philippians 4:1 NIV)
- “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 NIV)
- “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:21a NIV)
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. (1 Peter 5:8-11 MSG)
