Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Sit, Walk, Stand – part 3

By Ann Van Hine July 31, 2018 Devotion, Prayer, Reflection

“We have our position with the Lord in the heavenliness (sit), and we are learning how to walk with Him before the world; but how are we to acquit ourselves in the presence of the adversary-His adversary and our? God’s word is: Stand”  Watchman Nee Sit, Walk, Stand page 43

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10- 17 NIV

Stand seems like the scariest thing Paul is exhorting us to do in the book of Ephesians. Stand against the devil’s scheme sounds far more difficult than sit or walk but Paul reminds us it is in God’s mighty power that we can put on the armor we need to stand.

As Watchman Nee states: “The Greek verb “stand” with its following preposition “against” in verse 11 really means “hold your ground” There is a precious truth hidden in that command of God. It is not a command to invade a foreign territory…The word “stand” implies that the ground disputed by the enemy is really His, and therefore ours…Today we war against Satan only to maintain and consolidate the victory which He has already gained. By the resurrection God proclaimed His Son Victor over the whole realm of darkness, and the ground Christ won He has given us. We do not need to fight to obtain it. We only need to hold it against all challengers.” Sit, Walk, Stand page 43-44

The image of a tug-of-war comes to mind with a big difference than your average contest. We have a secret weapon. God has already won the battle. Realizing that the battle is already won gives me confidence that it will be okay not because of me but because of what Jesus has already done.

“The difficulties around you may not alter; the lion may roar as loudly as ever; but you need no longer hope to overcome. In Christ Jesus you are victor in the field.” Sit, Walk, Stand page 46

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

 

For further thoughts on the armor of God check out “Shields Up!” March 13, 2017.

3 thoughts on “Sit, Walk, Stand – part 3”

    1. Ann

      Thanks for adding the link. Not being techno savvy I wasn’t sure how to do that. Sit, Walk, Stand is a book I go back to every few years and always glean something new. A small little book that opens up so much to ponder.