Learning To Stand

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And having done all...stand
Ephesians 6:13

Don't allow the conflict-free seasons of your life to lull you into a false sense of security: 'Be vigilant...the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (1Peter 5:8 NKJV). What should we do when the Devil comes along? 'And having done all...stand.' Indeed, '...God is able to make [you] stand' (Romans 14:4 NKJV), not in your own strength, but the strength of Jesus Christ. By yourself you're an easy target, but in the strength of the Lord you can stand and not give in. So today when satan shows up with his temptations, announce that you're going to stand in Christ. Let him know you're going to stand until the shaking stops, until the wave of loneliness passes, until your marriage is restored, until you come out of debt, until the struggle is over, until the tempter loses his power to trap or topple you.

When you do the standing - God does the strengthening! Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' (Philippians 4:13). Note the word 'strengtheneth.' He won't just strengthen you once, He'll do it again and again. He'll strengthen you every time you face a difficult challenge, every time a memory comes back to torment you, every time you're reminded of your imperfect past, every time you face a difficult situation. Drawing from God the strength you need to stand up to the enemy will take effort. It will take your praise, your prayer, your getting into His Word with an intensity you never had before. But the truth is - you can stand if you want to!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.