20 Dec January 9th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

STAND FIRM IN THE LORD

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!”

“Stand firm” never wavering in your faith and trust in Jesus for your salvation, for your heavenly home.  There is nothing Satan would like more than to shake your confidence in the saving work of Jesus.  He strives to cause you to doubt that you will go to heaven.

1 Corinthians 16:13 has a similar exhortation to today’s devotional verse.  It says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”  This is military language.  It pictures a group of soldiers in a war, alert and ready for the enemy to strike. Especially when it appears that the enemy far outnumbers the soldiers, it takes great courage for them to stand firm, to hold their positions.  Satan hurls every possible attack upon you and your faith in Jesus.  He is like a Putin who has no regard for the damage he will do.  His objective is to be victorious.

You are able to stand firm because of Jesus.  He stood firm in His personal battle with Satan throughout His earthly life.  He stood firm in the wilderness attacks by Satan.  He stood firm in Satan’s attacks against Him in Pilot’s courtyard and on the cross.  When Jesus said His last word on the cross, “It is finished,” He in essence said to Satan, all the sinful powers in the world and to you, I have stood firm.  I have won the battle over sin, death, and you!

Jesus stood firm in your place because the death He died on the cross was your death.  It was necessary for your salvation.  He alone was able to make successful and full payment to God Almighty for your sins and the sins of the world.  Easter morning was God’s exclamation mark on Jesus’ work.  His resurrection shouted to the world that Jesus had stood firm.  And, now, because He lives, you by God’s grace, through faith in Him are able to stand firm against all attacks of the evil ones.  Jesus’ victory is your victory. By your faith in Jesus, you stand firm!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, through the power of the Gospel and the blessings I received through the Holy sacraments keep me standing firm in the Lord!  Amen.

How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He has said

Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled.

“Fear not! I am with you, O be not dismayed,

For I am your God and will still give you aid;

I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

“The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose

I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never, forsake!

“When through fiery trials your pathway will lie,

My grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply.

The flames will not hurt you; I only designs

Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

“Throughout all their lifetime My people will prove

My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when gray hairs will their temples adorn,

Like lambs they will still in My bosom be borne.”

(LSB 728)