It can be difficult at times for Christians to believe that our faith really matters or that God really is who He says He is, the all-powerful One who reigns over all. It can be tempting to live by our natural senses instead and to go along with the majority Western view that God does not exist and that life is simply the here-and-now.
The steadfast witness of God’s people down the centuries and the witness of the Bible contradict this view, however. These two witnesses remind us of the centrality of God and the importance of faith.
Isaiah, many years before the birth of Christ, told God’s people,, ‘If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’ (Is 7:9)
‘Standing firm’ is a theme which runs throughout the Bible. Moses told the peple to ‘stand firm’ and see God’s deliverance immediately prior to the parting of the Red Sea. (Ex 14:13) Jehoshaphat was told, ‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.’ (2 Chron 20:17) David spoke of God lifting him from the slimy pit and setting his feet on a rock, giving him a firm place to stand. (Ps 40:2) Jesus spoke of the one who stands firm to the end being saved. (Matt 10:23, Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13)
Paul urged the Corinthians to ‘stand firm in the faith’ (1 Cor 16:13, see also 1 Cor 15:58).The Galatians were urged to stand firm and refuse to be burdened again with a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1) The Epheisans were urged to stand firm even in the day of evil by using the spiritual armour God provides. (Eph 6:10-20)
Ultimately, we stand firm not because of our own balance or goodness. We stand firm in faith by trusting God more than the evidence of our natural eyes, more than our own feelings (which change frequently). We stand firm because God is that solid rock whose word is eternal, standing firm in the heavens. (Ps 119:89) Since God’s love stands firm forever (Ps 89:2) and his statutes stand firm (Ps 93:5), we have a solid basis for faith.