Stand Firm In The Faith!

September 4, 2025

Stand Firm In Faith!

On what do you stand when everything around you seems to be shifting sand, shaky foundations, and unstable ground?

When it seems there is no one upon whom you can depend, no one in whom you can trust, and no one on whom you can rely, where do you turn?  When it seems there is no one in whom you can confide, no one in whom you can believe, and no one in whom you can find hope, where do you turn?

In the first century, the church in Corinth was overwhelmed with division, conflict, and arguing.  Many felt unappreciated and unloved.  Many did not know in whom they could trust, upon whom they could depend, or in whom they could confide.  It was a strained environment in which love was conditional, hope was eroding, and the power of the Spirit was limited by pride, self-centeredness, and unforgiveness.

Towards the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul encourages the Christ-followers there to stand firm in the faith.  In I Corinthians 16:13-14 Paul writes; “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

When everything they believed about the church seemed to be falling apart, Paul encourages them to “…stand firm in the faith.”  It’s a good word for you and me.

When the things upon which we stake our dream, build our family, or grow our relationship with Jesus seem to be shifting sand, shaky foundations, and unstable ground, we can continue to stand firm in our faith in Jesus.

There was a time when my confidence was built upon the conviction that the productivity of my life and work was the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in me and through me.  Ministry things seemed to be going very well and there was one new opportunity after another to serve Christ.  My family was doing well in school and in work while also growing in their relationships with Jesus.  My spiritual life was marked by surrender to Jesus as well as sacrifice in my service with people.

However, a brief conversation seemed to change everything.  My boss told me I was being transferred to a different city.  I was so surprised by the statement, I could not respond.  For a while, it seemed that everything in my life, my family, and my career were built on shifting sand, shaky foundations, and unstable ground.

As the days and weeks and months passed, I learned more and more about what it means to “stand firm in the faith” when everything around me seemed to be falling apart. 

I sought the wise counsel of Christian friends.

I discussed the matter with the small group of which I was a part.

I asked the Holy Spirit to teach me, to lead me, and to empower me.

I read the Psalms with a heart seeking understanding, comfort, and strength.

I sought the guidance of my spiritual director when I did not know where to turn.

I visited with my wife to check my motives, my attitude, and the things in which I was placing my hope.

I prayed several times a day seeking a word from Jesus to encourage me, to direct me, to restore me.

I found hope in the Scripture.

In Ephesians 6:14 I heard; “Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

In Colossians 2:5 I heard; “For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your orderly conduct and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

In Hebrews 3:6 I heard; “Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the boldness and the pride inspired by hope.”

Even when our life is filled with trouble and struggle or uncertainty and doubt or fear and failing faith, the Word of God instructs you and me to stand firm in our faith in Christ.  Although I have not always found it easy to stand firm in my faith in Jesus, I know it is my only response when the sands seem to be shifting, when the foundations seem to be shaking, and when the ground seems to be unstable.

When everything seems to be falling apart around me, it is tempting to place my hope and trust in something other than Christ.  However, I have not found anything or anyone to provide the strength and courage and hope I need when the foundations are crumbling around me.

I am encouraged by the straightforwardness of the Word of God in Isaiah 7.  In Isaiah 7:9 we hear; “The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.  If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.”

There are some hard things in life.  There are some difficult seasons in life.  There are some impossible circumstances in life.  If I do not stand firm in my faith in Christ, then I shall not stand at all.  My growing relationship with Jesus will be the one thing upon which I can stand, the one thing upon which I can depend, the one thing that will restore my hope, my joy, and my love.

When that happens in your life, your heart will overflow with delight and joy and gratitude for what Jesus is doing in your life.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug