Sundays are days we need to soak in His Word, let it resonate in our souls and settle deep into a Sabbath rest of the heart. May the reminder of His promises be a balm to you as we seek Him first in each of our journeys. Join me each Sunday for a reminder to take a soul stop in the power of His Word and be rejuvenated for the week ahead.

Stand strong in faith

Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger] and, having don all [the crises demands], to stand [firmly in your place].  Stand therefore [hold your ground]…  

Ephesians 6:13,14

This morning as I sat quietly listening to the sermon on the text found in Hosea I was reminded of this verse to stand strong in the trials of life.  We are called to stand strong and to cover in this holy armor. Once we do this, we are commanded to STAND.

Standing still sometimes feels helpless. It  is uncomfortable. It feels faithless.

Sometimes, I worry that if there is a trial, it is because I have been disobedient. And if we study His Word, the lives of the faithful were not always easy. In fact, they endured deep gut-wrenching loss and separation from their dreams, goals, and loves.

Remembering they faltered in their calling makes it easier for me to identify with these giants-of-faith when my own seems lacking.

And this small book in the Old Testament, which speaks of God’s faithfulness and redemptive love,  also reveals the continued presence of the Heavenly Father in the lives of those set apart by grace.

Hosea was obedient to God, yet God allowed him to go through hard times, heartache, loss, and suffering.  He even doubted if he had heard God correctly. Yet God allows Hosea to be an example of His deep abiding love and care for those who are called His own. He brought redemption and hope, even when it was hopeless.  He restored with love, even when judgment should have been handed down. He executed  mercy, by leading us to understand the power of  true repentance. Even in the day of calamity, of loss , of heartbreak, and destitution, Hosea trusted in the faithfulness of God because the ultimate reward is the unmoving and solid presence of the Lord in our lives.

When nothing else seems quite right, Stand in His promises because He stands for you…He stands with you.

Ephesians tells us to stand firm in the evil day, and when we have done everything we can do after we have put on that armor of God, We Stand.

…when  we gird ourselves with the belt of truth and cover our hearts with the breastplate of His righteousness, We Stand.

…when we put on the shoes of peace to step into His grace and surround our  minds and thoughts with the helmet of salvation, We Stand.

…when we lift high the shield of faith to quench the darts that flame against us and wield the sword of the spirit as a weapon of defense, We Stand.

We Stand strong in prayer watching, persevering, and interceding on behalf of the consecrated, the chosen, those who are set apart because we know that God is always for us and never against us and our obedience is a sacrifice of love as His grace in our every moment is evidence of Grace.

Remember that when you stand, you are clothed in a holy armor that is able to withstand the fiery darts, to cut into pieces every attack of the enemy, to deliver peace when storms threaten chaos,  to know truth and salvation as  your ammunition of hope, and to let His righteousness protect the very center of your soul from destruction.

>>>Read through Ephesians 6 when you have time this week, put it to memory, friends, and speak His Words over your situation trusting as you stand firm on the solid foundation of His Word.

Praying for you to stand strong in His will this week.

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Linking up with friends for the journey:

Three Word Wednesday, Coffee For Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursdays, Missional Women, Faith n Friends Blog Hop, Grace and Truth Link Up, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace.