Have you done all to stand?

Greetings in the Name of Jesus - the One Who finishes whatever He begins.

Ephesians 6:10-13:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and , but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

The other day the Lord asked me a question which has given me a rejuvenated passion to make sure I finish my course well. He asked me, as He reminded me of verse 13 above, if I had done all I could do. "Before you get the idea that it's time to throw in the towel, have YOU done all you could do?" The enemy of our soul wants us to be so immobilized and paralyzed by his wiles, schemes, of doubt, deception, destruction and fear that he sells us the idea that we have reached the end of God's ability and our energy so we might as well move on to something else. As long as we can say, "we've done our best", then we feel justified in whatever decision we make.

This attitude is diabolical and is very much running rampant in the Body of Christ. Look at these verses found in Hebrews 12:3,4 - "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to shed, striving against sin." I don't believe we can fathom what would have been our condition if Jesus wouldn't have done ALL He could do. Our very life depended on it; and there are many lives that depend on each of us doing ALL WE can do.

When you start to get discouraged or maybe a little bent out of shape, begin asking yourself (and let the Holy Spirit help you answer truthfully), "Have I done ALL I can do to stand?" You know, the Body of Christ would be much farther along the path to being conformed into the Image of the Holy One if we had been doing that all along. Churches wouldn't be splitting or barely getting along; no, they'd be affecting their society and changing their neighborhoods. If we would ask ourselves questions like:

1. Have I prayed all I can pray? (Luke 18:1 - don't faint in prayer; 1 Thess 5 - pray without ceasing)
2. Have I believed all I can believe? (Mark 9:23 - all things are possible to him who believes)
3. Have I given I all I can give? (Luke 6:38 - the way you measure...)
4. Have I spoken all I can speak? (Romans 10:9-17 - people need to hear and faith will come)
5. Have I loved all I can love? (1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love never fails)
6. Have I done all I can do? (Philippian 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength)

Before you get it in your mind that I don't know what you're going through let me say that I'm sure I don't know. But I know Someone Who does! Regardless of your situation can you honestly, before God, say that you've given it your all and you've gotten all the help from God that is available? Or, have you just decided to quit because it seems easier?

2 Samuel 23:8-12 - "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the Lord brought about a great victory."

Notice these guys who did all they could do to stand...and even though they each could have had a good reason to quit, they looked beyond their own reasoning and grabbed hold of God's strength to enable them to do MORE and thus secure the victory.

Brethren, if you look around long enough you will always find someone who will tell you the best thing for you to do is give up. There is always someone who will agree that the easy way must be God's way. "After all, God wants us to have joy", they seem to say. And joy couldn't be part of a tough situation, could it? Hebrews 12 - "Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame..." Churches are full of "believers" who run away from the battle and declare "God is leading me". Of course, as soon as "things really start happening once again" God "leads" them back. Like in the passage above, the people returned after the fight so they could enjoy the plunder.

It is time you and I answer the Lord as He asks - "Have YOU done all to stand?" Let's answer with our actions, and see His Kingdom come, His will be done. Amen!

Pastor Jan