“Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.” 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NIV)
An old worship chorus affirms: “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Trusting in his Holy Word. He’s never failed us yet.”
An old hymn testifies: “He leadeth me, He leadeth me. By His own hand He leadeth. His faithful follower I will be for by His hand He leadeth me.”
So then, if God is leading us; if we are His faithful followers; if we have come this far by faith; and if we are leaning on the Lord while trusting His Word, then this is the time to be strong and stand firm by faith. God will not fail us! Let us open our eyes and realize that those who are with us outnumber those who are against us.
We have heard it preached many times how that “the just shall live by faith.” Note, however, that in today’s passage, Paul encourages his readers with this principle: we stand firm by faith. We don’t just live by faith and walk by faith. Yes, faith is an action word and without action faith is dead being alone. Yet, in some instances, the action we take is to simply stand by faith and reject the enemy’s fear and doubt. And such resistance keeps us standing firm. This is an infinity element: on the one hand we stand firm in faith, and on the other hand by our faith we are made to stand firm. Both perspectives are powerful pieces of the same circular action of faith.
Dear Father, thank you for being our God who never fails us. Encourages us in our faith. Enable us to stand firm. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today “because it is by faith you stand firm,”