STANDING…
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)
1961. Ben E. King released a song that’s now one of the most famous ever. The familiar lyrics begin with, When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we’ll see. No, I won’t be afraid. Oh, I won’t be afraid. Just as long as you stand, stand by me. Stand By Me is an encouraging song about having someone special to go through rough times with you. A movie by the same name came out in 1986 that highlights the friendship of four boys. Having people stand by you when things are rough is a comforting thought.
Charles Albert Tindley. Who is that, you may ask? He wrote the hymn Stand By Me in 1905, which inspired the Ben E. King version of the song. Tindley’s hymn focused on the Lord standing by him as he went through storms, tribulations, failures, persecution and growing old. What a comforting thought that we have a Lord who remains with us in our challenging times.
What’s our response to this hymn? We praise God for standing with us for sure! We also need to stand. We learn to stand on what we know to be true even if our circumstances try to convince us otherwise. Our faith in the One who is faithful gives us courage and strength.
APPLICATION: Ask God to show you times when He was standing with you. Thank Him for being with you even when things are challenging. Let Him teach you to develop your faith in Him as you stand with Him. Share your faith with a friend and listen to their journey of faith.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for standing with me throughout my life trials and tribulations. Remind me of Your never-ending love for me and all those times you stood beside me. Strengthen me to stand on Your truth. I praise You for Your goodness. Help me be an example of Your eternal faithfulness. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?