Stand Firm

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15-16)

Have you ever seen a little tree sway in the wind? When the wind blows, that little tree sways this way and that. If the wind is strong enough, that little tree might even break in half.

Isn’t that what we’re often like—a little tree swaying in the wind? How often isn’t your heart pulled from one thing to another? How often don’t your thoughts swirl from one opinion to another? How often doesn’t it feel like you are pulled and pushed in every direction, all at the same time?

God offers you something better. He says, “Stand firm and hold fast”! Doesn’t that sound nice? To not be swayed by every criticism? To not be enticed by every new idea? To not be influenced by what other people say? Wouldn’t it be nice to stand firm and hold fast and be strong? How do we do that?

Through the Word of God. It never changes. Like the strongest oak tree, it never sways. The teachings of the Bible empower you to stand firm and hold fast, no matter what is happening around you. God’s truth provides you with a solid foundation. God’s grace holds you fast even in the fiercest storm.

True strength doesn’t come from you, it comes from Jesus. The more you realize that, the stronger you will be. Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father love us and by grace give us eternal encouragement and hope. Jesus has died to take all your sins away. God has given you eternal life by faith in Jesus. You are loved. You are forgiven. You have hope. You have a future.

So stand firm! Don’t let anything pull you away from the rock of Jesus Christ. Stand firm! Don’t let any smooth-talking preacher or modern fad sway your heart away from the solid foundation of God’s Word. Stand firm! Don’t ever trade the grace of God for the empty promises of this world. Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father make you strong. Stand firm!

Dear God our Father, too often we sway back and forth in the swirling winds of life. Strengthen and encourage us by your grace and allow us to always stand firm in your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Nathan