Stand Firm by Patricia A. Hudson

One definition for stand is to remain or be set in place. 

Firm can be defined as being solid and unyielding. 

For the purpose of our lesson this morning, we will consider two thoughts.  

To stand firm means to remain set in a solid place of believing God. 

To stand firm means to have unyielding and unwavering faith in God. 

 

As we study together this morning, we will consider seven keys to standing firm in our faith in God. 

 

1.  Have Faith in God

Hebrews 11 New King James Version (NKJV)  (By Faith We Understand)

11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Having faith in God, can be viewed like the bridge that connects believers from Point A, confident trust and hope in what God has promised to Point B, the manifested evidence of the promise. 

 

2.  Do not doubt in your heart

James 1: 2 – 8 NKJV 

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

3.  Stand firm on the Word of God which reveals all that God said to you, all that God said about you and all that God has for you. 

Hebrews 4:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV) The Promise of Rest

4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest. 

 

4. Pray and agree with the Word! Identify a few scriptures that align with your request.

Say what you believe, speak the Word!

Mark 11:20 – 26 AMP

The amplified version emphasizes two conditions for the things I ask for in prayer. 

First, I believe and pray in accordance with God’s will. Verse 23 in part reads, If he believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

 

Second, If I have anything against anyone, I must forgive him.  Verse 25 reads, Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others].

 

5. Be Established on the Firm Foundation 

Build on the Rock  Matt 7:24-27 NKJ

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

 

Build on the solid rock of hearing the Word and obeying the Word. The difference between the two people, one person heard, followed, became wise and withstood the storms. The other person heard, didn’t obey, became foolish and was destroyed.  

 

6. Trust God to Renew Your Strength 

Isaiah 40: 28 – 31 NKJ

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,

31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

 

7.  Having done all to stand: Stand Therefore and Keep Standing 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.   14 Stand therefore. 

 

In summary, the most important key to remember is:

Have Faith in God. As a believer, my mindset is to have confident trust in what God has spoken to me, what God has spoken about me, and what He has planned for me, He will perform it at the right time and in the perfect way. He just asks me to trust Him!