Stand Firm

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.  Isaiah 7:9b

What is the key word in this verse?  It's firm.  It's not just about standing, it's about standing firm.

To me, this verse means this:  it's not enough to believe in God.  Satan believes in God.  James 2:19 says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."   So obviously simple belief isn't enough to stand firm.

So what is enough?  It's taking that belief to heart and letting it change your life - letting it change everything!  It's taking responsibility for your past and making and receiving restoration.  It's being willing to live completely out of control - and loving it!

Because standing firm means that God is the one in control.  He becomes the one who directs your path and your heart, and it's only because of that that you can stand firm in the first place. 

So look at your heart and your life today.  Are you standing, or standing firm?  Because there's a difference!  One more reference from James - this time chapter one: "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."   (verses 6-8)

Standing firm is whole-hearted belief in God - in His character, in His ways, in His love.  And unless you have that kind of belief, life will always knock you down.  So stand!  Stand firm!