Stand Firm

by FIONA L.
SHARING FROM "Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman"

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.
Exodus 14:13

This verse contains God’s command to me as a believer for those times when I am confronted with dire circumstances and extraordinary difficulties. What am I to do when I cannot retreat or go forward and my way is blocked to the right and to the left?

The Master’s word to me is, “Stand firm.” And the best thing I can do at these times is to listen only to my Master’s word, for others will come to me with their suggestions and evil advice. Despair will come, whispering, “Give up - lie down and die.” But even in the worst of times, God would have me be cheerful and courageous, rejoicing in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice will come and say, “You must retreat to the world’s ways of acting. It is too difficult for you to continue living the part of a Christian. Abandon your principles”. Yet no matter how much Satan may pressure me to follow his course, I cannot, for I am a child of God. The Lord’s divine decree has commanded me to go from “strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7). Therefore I will, and neither death nor hell will turn me from my course. And if for a season He calls me to “stand firm,” I will acknowledge it as time to renew my strength for greater strides in the future.

Impatience will come, crying, “Get up and do something! To ‘stand firm’ and wait is sheer idleness”. Why is it I think I must be doing something right now instead of looking to the Lord? He will not only do something - He will do everything.

Arrogance will come, boasting, “If the sea is blocking your way, march right into it and expect a miracle.” Yet true faith never listens to arrogance, impatience, cowardice. or despair but only hears God saying, “Stand firm.” And then it stands as immovable as a rock.

“Stand firm.” I must maintain the posture of one who stands, ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and patiently awaiting the Director’s voice. It will not be long until God will say to me, as distinctly as He told Moses to tell the children of Israel, “Move on” ( Exodus 14:15).

Charles H. Spurgeon


Be quiet! Why this anxious heed

About your tangled ways?

God knows them all. He gives you speed

And he allows delays.

It’s good for you to walk by faith

And not by sight.

Take it on trust a little while.

Soon will you read the mystery aright

In the full sunshine of His smile.


In times of uncertainty - wait. If you have any doubt - wait, never forcing yourself into action. If you sense any restraint in your spirit, do not go against it - wait until the way is clear.

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Honest Sharing

by Diego D.

Do you ever feel lost? Day after day with zero motivation? Doing just enough to get through your day? Although you are thankful for all that God has given you, and for the people He has placed in your life, you can admit that sometimes you step back and watch others live their lives, while yours seems to have lost its colors. Your faith in God is what keeps you going, along with those moments with your family. The rest just seems bland.

I pretty much know what I'm supposed to do in times like these. Still I can't say I have successfully climbed that mountain. I pray about it so often that some days I just keep it to myself (As if I can do it on my own). It works for a few days before I feel myself shutting down and running back to recharge. Hoping to restart but ending up in standby mode again...

Since this might not apply to you right now, you might be a little critical or just not getting the point. However, I'm sure that you will relate at some point in your life, or maybe you've already been there. We all know that sometimes in life, there are such seasons and there could be many reasons for God to allow them to take place. However, you can't quite put your finger on that reason, and wish you can just flick that switch to make your light shine again.

"For My yoke is easy and burden is light." Matt. 11:30

Praying that God will show this verse real to me.

Diego <><

This I Pray

by Diego D.

Praise be to God, the One who created me inside my mother's womb and knew me before my birth, The Lamb of God, The great I AM. Praise be to Him! He is my fortress and my strength, the Rock of my Salvation, the beginning and the end. He is and was and is to come. Only He can move the mountains, calm the seas, bring the dead to life! He is the Lord of all eternity! The Creator of the universe!

I lift this generation to You Lord. You who became sin, to erase all my sins even though You have never sinned. For You are holy Lord and You have made me holy. You Lord, are the One who goes before me, the One who takes away all my worries and straightens my path. I am so glad that I know You, but most importantly that You know me. Come and live in our home Lord, come live in our hearts! We believe and witness Your wonders each and everyday. Let us not fall into temptation, be our daily bread, forgive our sins. Take control of our lives and protect us by the power of Your name. Do not let us conform to this world for it is not our home; guard us from the evil one and from the wickedness of this world.

Thank you Lord for I was blind and now I see! Thank You for You have shown me your ways, which are more precious than silver and gold. You have sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of me and I can feel Your light calling me to shine brighter in this world. Let nothing come between me and Your plan for me! I pray that you bring me the fire and the desire to further your kingdom and honor your name each and everyday. Thank You for the gift that has come upon our lives, let this young child of God bear Your fruit and become an honorable son of God. Help him honor his father and mother so that it might please You, and bring glory to Your name. I also thank You Lord for the person you have chosen for me to share my life with. Bless the road ahead of us and help us to be in Your will. Lord I thank you for all these things and I pray in the name of Jesus. Let the blind see, let the deaf hear, let the mute talk so that the whole world might know of Your wonders! Let Your Word be like a blazing fire in our hearts. Let us not become invalid from our sin, for You have come to set us free.

Glory be to You Father God who takes away the sin of the world. To God be the glory; let Him be known throughout the continents!

Amen.

Your son who loves you,

Diego <><