Stand Firm

Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19

When everything is upside down, when darkness seems to be gaining the upper hand, and when we see no way out, remember: patience, patience, patience. Hope in the Lord, who can change everything, who can lead everything aright, and who will be victorious in the end.

If we cannot stand firm now, we will surely find it that much more difficult in the coming times of distress. Patience is the most useful “cure” for the inner and outer life. Therefore, don’t despair, don’t lose courage, even if all roads are blocked. Persevere, even if you have to go through extreme need. With confidence throw yourself into the Savior’s arms, hold on to him, and keep on trusting and hoping
that he will reveal his grace and mercy.

To have patient hope shows that you have faith. If your patience is not tested now and then, how will you ever know whether you possess true confidence or not? Submit to the Lord’s discipline, and your faith will truly be vindicated.

Yes, many people appear to be very believing, but faith can grow strong only when we have to wrestle for patience. Conviction does not mean much if we do not have a trusting heart. In this way patience is the outer manifestation of faith. And if we are to be saved by faith, then we will have to learn to endure. Patient endurance and faithfulness always belong together (Rev. 13:10).

So let us stand firm and endure any hardship – persevering in all suffering and under any cross. Let us always take into account that tribulation has to come; it will not fail to appear. But let us also gain life by being armed with the power of perseverance so that we can stand firmly when tribulation comes. By standing firm you will surely win life.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt