I read this today:
STAND FAST
Stand Fast
Saturday, July 16, 2011
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1
Battling the devil is difficult, yet defeat is not an option.
The 1860 election in the United States carried more weight than a usual election. Several issues divided Americans during this time in history-states' rights, land grants and usage, and slavery. Less than one hundred years old, the U.S. had spent the first one hundred years of its existence hashing out documents and laws to govern the land. While many laws were contested, both sides had often agreed upon a compromise. Yet the issues listed above had finally come to a head. On one side stood those opposed to both expanding slavery and granting more control to the states. On the other side stood those favoring the continued practice of slavery and the localizing of government. Abraham Lincoln, representing the first side, ran for the Presidency in 1860 and upon his election, eleven Southern states seceded from the Union. Recognizing this act as rebellion, a civil war was declared between the two sides and fighting ensued on April 12, 1861.
Throughout the war, stories are told of common farmers and tradesmen choosing to stand for their beliefs and fighting against their enemies. The battles were fierce, supplies few, yet people were fighting for ideals, and their ideals motivated them to give all they had. One such story is told of a young Southern soldier who was badly wounded in battle by a cannonball. As he was carried off the battlefield in the midst of the fighting, he instructed the medical staff to quickly bandage him so he could continue the fight. Advising against it, they sought help from the commanding officer in convincing the young man to stay in the field hospital. The officer arrived and upon seeing him stated, "Son, you've fought well, but with a missing eye, badly handicapped arm, and lacerated body, you need to stay here at the rear of the battle." The soldier said through tears, "Sir, I respect you, but I'm going to continue fighting. This battle has no rear!"
This young soldier, probably not more than twenty-five years old understood the concept of standing fast, of fighting even when the battle was tough. He was physically hurting, pained, and broken; yet despite what the battle had cost him, he kept fighting.
Your Christian battle is just as real as this soldier's battle. You may not physically wield a weapon, but the fight is ever present. Any Christian who's lived for a period of time can tell you stories of the devil's attacks, temptations, and battles. Some battles are won; some are lost. Many will suffer pains; some will suffer loss; yet God's command in the heat of battle is seen in Galatians 5, "Stand fast."
Every day the devil sends his best combat fighters against you. He strategizes how to best cause you to fall. He tempts you in your areas of weakness. The devil knows you better than most people. You've probably experienced failure, lost battles to his temptations, and fallen in the fight. Yet God's command rings true, "Stand fast."
Whenever you lose a battle remember that the war is already won. Rather than giving up, stand up and continue fighting. Don't let the devil convince you fighting is futile. Yes, you will fall, and you will experience pain, but stand fast.
If you're saved, you no longer have to give in to sin. Satan has no power over your life any more. You are God's child, and now fight on His side. Rejoice, for God has already won the war! Yet each day you will need to fight against the devil's attacks, resist his temptations, and refuse to give in to his devices.
How's the battle going in your life? Have you experienced setbacks? Have you suffered defeat? Don't let the devil win by giving in to him. Gain strength from God's Word, prayer, His church, godly music, godly friends, and the example of other godly fighters; and keep fighting. Remember, even when you fall, get back up, and continue to stand fast.
To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him
I usually complain quite often about our lack of sun.
