And Having Done All, to Stand

What’s up fellow believers?!  I am excited for 2021.  You all might think I am crazy for writing that because of the events that have been unfolding over the past couples days, but to put it bluntly, it really doesn’t matter what you think.  God is still on His throne, so I know He is still completely in control.  2020 was harsh and I’m sure every one of you had your faith tested.  Mine sure was.  But toward the end of the year, while all hope seemed lost, I just started thanking God for all of the trials and tribulations he brought me through last year.  If he had not allowed me to go through these things, I would have been stuck in a spiritual rut.  The trials looked different for everyone I’m sure, but we made it to 2021. 

I am believing in God to show up in a mighty way this year and I have not lost hope.  You know, I have been listening, reading and watching Christians all over the place give in to fear, give up hope and throw in the towel.  It’s like it’s been happening in waves; each wave corresponding to a certain level of faith.  Those with the least amount of faith gave up months ago.  “I can’t see how God can turn this around, so I quit.”  Oh my.  My Bible tells me that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)  I didn’t realize you had to see to believe oh ye of little faith.  Believers are starting to turn on one another and the church is divided.  I feel like I am on a rollercoaster while watching Christians and the church change their opinions like the wind.  “The wind is blowing this way, so I guess I’ll trust in God today.”  No one actually said that, but it is just as logical as these fleeting emotional decisions.  It has always been this simple – Deuteronomy 30:19:

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Choose life.  Always choose life.  When you feel like giving up, choose life.  When everything seems hopeless, choose life.  When you see no way out, choose life.  What other choice do we have?  Death?  Really?  What on earth is worth your eternity?  Why would you embrace darkness when you are called to stand in the light?  “But Ana, I’m so tired of fighting.” Well, if you are not fighting for God, you are siding with enemy.  Your two options are before you.  You choose.  For those of you choosing life, let’s talk about Ephesians 6:10-13.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Be strong in the Lord.  Where are you putting your trust that you are wavering or stumbling with every headline of news?  I mean I get it.  There are times that I have opened my usual news sources and my heart just sank.  These days, I don’t even know what news sites to believe anymore.  But I know my God is faithful and never forsakes His people.  I know He always keeps His word and never breaks a covenant.  It does not matter if you think America is finished and the world looks hopeless.  Who cares what you see with your eyes?  Where are the Christians that say, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)  The furnace is hot my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Do you know your God is able?  When your feet are held to the fire, are you going to succumb to fear and give in to darkness or will you stand and say, “Even if He doesn’t deliver me, let it be known that I only serve the true and living God!”

Having done all to stand, stand therefore.  2020 was a wild ride.  I’m not going to pretend to know what you all have suffered through last year.  Many are grieving and hurting from their losses.  I am praying for each and every one of you.  But even when we think we have exhausted every option and have grown weary from the fight, we must put on the whole armor of God and stand.  God is able and He is just.  These days I am constantly reminded of David and how strong he was in the Lord.  1 Samuel 30:6 says:

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

He encouraged himself in the Lord during a time when he was greatly distressed.  It takes a great amount of strength and faith to do something like that.  When you feel your heart sinking and coming into fear, turn the news off and pick up your Bible.  Really.  Get to know who you serve.  If you knew, you would not fear anything but the Lord.  He is the name above every name.  What can’t He do?  Who can come against Him?  We don’t always know why He does certain things at certain times, but you should know that He is always on time.  You don’t have to understand it.  You don’t even have to know the details of the plan.  Just know that He is just and never forsakes His people.  In 2021, be strong and bold in your faith.  If you threw your belief in Jesus Christ in the trash, jump in the dumpster, fish it out and hold on tight.  You have two options.  Choose life.