June 29

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all”. Even though there are many things in today’s reading that are worthy of ponder and writing, this spoke to me and stood out. What is standing firm in my faith and why is it all or nothing?

I am an all or nothing kind of guy, but even I am uncomfortable with this verse. It can be looked at as a verse of defeat or as a verse of victory – I choose victory! God is saying partial will not cut it. That strikes fear in me because even when I purpose to go “all out” I sometimes miss that mark. I don’t want to get knocked down and fail because I tried! Yet when you look at this verse as a simple fact of life it makes complete sense. If you don’t stand firm – remain standing where you are, you will not stand – remain standing where you are. Do you get it? This is a great either or and it is true in all of life. Stand your ground or give it – there is no other option!

This verse brings in the extra added ingredient of faith, which deepens the meaning to me. I have to stand in my “faith”, or in my trust in God’s ability! To do that I have to understand His ability, His will, and His love toward me – or I will “not stand”. Which could mean 2 things – either I will fall on the ground or I will be moved off my ground. For me the key for today is to continue to get “convinced” of God’s will and love toward me. Then I can stand in faith for any and everything I need to.