Stand Firm on God’s Promises
In the Lord, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain!" ? — Psalms 11:1
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. — Philippians 4:6
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: When troubles come, we do not need to rush about frantically: we can bring our needs to God in prayer and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. In this way, we receive his peace and avoid wearing ourselves out unnecessarily. In spiritual warfare, putting on the full armor of God does not mean attacking above all, but standing firm and resisting. We can remain calm, relying on what God has declared, until the devil has to flee. As we remember God’s goodness and faithfulness and hold fast to his promises, his peace strengthens our hearts to weather the storms and attain victory.
Paul says, in effect: “Do not let anything in this world rob you of your peace. Instead, focus your energies on letting God know what you need. And as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ through prayer, you will experience the inexplicable peace of God.” What a wonderful prescription for emotional health!
If, instead of running frantically here and there when problems enter our lives, we spent more time in the prayer room and meditated more on God, we would be healthier, wear ourselves out less physically, and accomplish much more in life.
This idea reminds us of the spiritual principle Paul uses in Ephesians 6:10–19 concerning spiritual warfare. There we are called to put on the whole armor of God so that we can “stand firm” against the devil’s attacks. Three times in this passage, the idea of standing firm is mentioned. It speaks less of attacking than of holding one’s position. This expression in the original Greek (histemi) refers primarily to standing or holding firm, like a soldier holding his position on the battle line.
Sometimes, all a Christian has to do is remain calm, stand firm, and resist the devil, and the Word says that he will have to flee from us. We do not even have to attack him actively. Resisting firmly and standing on what God has declared will be enough for the Enemy, at some point, to have to tuck his tail between his legs and leave the battlefield, defeated and ashamed. Paul says in Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
By keeping our eyes resolutely fixed on God, confessing his goodness and faithfulness, and standing on his promises, we can overcome any storm life may send our way. The peace that will flood our hearts will be a powerful weapon that will unleash the power of heaven on our behalf and, sooner or later, give us the victory.