There are moments in our lives when burdens are so great that we feel as though we cannot stand any longer.  Life has its ways.  Some days we feel on top, and then other days, not so much.  Things just didn’t go our way. A set back at work.  A promotion that didn’t come.  A move we didn’t plan.  Family problems. An unexpected death, sickness, accidents.  All of these things that go with everyday life that can cause sadness and disappointment.  In those moments we drop to our knees, and ask our Father to help.  God understands how frail we are, and hears His child.

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.”  Psalms 34:15

“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”   Psalms 34:17

We then are able to stand again because of His love for us.   We can take heart, and continue on in the fight for Truth.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”     Ephesians 6:13

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ:  that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:  which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”    Philippians 1:27-28

One of my favorite movies is “Braveheart.”  The true story of William Wallace, and his fight for the freedom of Scotland. One of the scenes was the battle at Falkirk.  Robert the Bruce knocked William from his horse.  When Robert dismounted, William pulled the mask from Robert.  You could see the hurt in William’s eyes, and his heart giving up.  Later in the movie Robert’s father tells his son that he would soon have power.  Robert tells his father.  “Lands, titles, money, power, nothing.”  He wanted to believe in a nobler cause as William Wallace did, to fight for that which is right, for a people to breathe the sweet air of freedom. Bruce told his father that the only reason that people fought for him was because he would throw people off their land if they didn’t fight, but men followed William for a nobler cause, and he too wanted to believe as William.  Robert told his father of the incident that happened to him at Falkirk, and the removal of Robert’s helmet by William Wallace.  Robert could see in William’s eyes his heart giving up at Robert’s betrayal.  He told his father the hurt in William’s eyes was tearing him apart.  Later in the scene he tells his father he would not be on the wrong side again.  After William Wallace’s death, Robert took his place, stood in defiance of tyranny, and won Scotland’s freedom.

We too must stand for Truth, when Truth is challenged.  We cannot sit idly by waiting for the preacher or the elder.  We come across people every day that will ask questions of us, and it is imperative that we know Scripture to teach them.  We cannot tell people to wait until we can call the preacher or elder to teach Truth for us. Members of the Lord’s church have that responsibility also, and with that responsibility is study of God’s Word to be able to teach.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”     II Timothy 2:15

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”    I Corinthians 16:13

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”     Philippians 4:1

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”     I Thessalonians 3:8

What do you stand for?

“You feel like a candle in a hurricane; Just like a picture with a broken frame.  Alone and helpless, like you’ve lost your fight.  But you’ll be alright. ‘Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you’re made of.  You might bend til you break, cause it’s all you can take.  On your knees you look up.  Decide you’ve had enough.  You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand.  Life’s like a novel, with the end ripped out.  The edge of a canyon with only one way down.  Take what you’re given before it’s gone.  And start holdin’ on, keep holdin’ on.  Every time you get up and get back in the race, one more small piece of you starts to fall into place.  Then you stand!”

Eileen Light