Stand March 15, 2015
Psalms 40:1-3 A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Standing on the rock applies to a new Christians life – I was in a state of confusion then He set me on the Rock. The Rock is Christ; the chief corner stone; the sure foundation. Stand means "to be established, immovable”. This is not just for initial salvation, it’s about now too. This world is an unstable place and can feel like the horrible pit. But we can come hear His precious word and have our eyes on the Lord, the Rock. Then he’ll put a new song in our heart instead of the complaining and cursing. Such standing is not just a standing still, doing nothing. It is what a soldier does while on watch. Looking out for the enemy, not sitting still.
2 Corinthians 1:24 … for by faith ye stand.
1 Peter 5:12 … that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
It’s all by grace not by self efforts. In Psalm 40 David didn’t say ‘I did it’, the Lord did it.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
The power of the gospel will change you from a sinner to a saint, a natural man to a spiritual man.
To say, “God has jerked the rug out from beneath me” is not scriptural for a Christian. He wants us to stand.
Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Asaph felt this way, he was envious at the foolish and wicked because they didn’t have troubles like he did. We might think why am I going on with the Lord, I have all these trials and others don’t seem to. But…
Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
We can look with natural eyes, but when we get into the sanctuary of God we’ll realize the things the wicked have are temporal and the things we have are forever.
Psalms 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
This is what happens to the wicked – like when the Egyptians pursued Israel and were drowned in the Red Sea. (Exodus 14:23-25). We can be those that are kept from the hour of temptation (tribulation) (Rev. 3:10).
In a military context "to stand" refers to gaining a victory.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
We need His armour - the Word of God. If we make a wrong choice, pray and ask Him to enable you to stand. He allows these things so we learn how loving He is. Go on, realize you need Him that much more.
Stand also means “to be on its foundation; not to be overthrown”. Build your house (our life) on the Rock (Jesus) that doesn’t move. Matthew 7:24-27 Hear His word and when the rains (trials) hit us we won’t fall as those trusting in the world with its shifting sand.
The opposite of standing is falling. Today there is a falling away – less are going on with the Lord. The grace is there to stand but we get tired or distracted.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
We can’t stop the falling away but as individuals we can go on and ask Him for His best. We’ll have trials but it will be worth it all!
Stand when used as a noun usually signifies something that stands upright like a "pillar".
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…
Jesus overcame then He sat down on the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12). We will not only stand before the throne, we will be seated in the midst of the throne.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Make that stand now, then the glorious honeymoon forever more! Stand on His word, stand in His grace and let Him do His perfect work. Be ready! It can’t be better than that!
Sermon Topics: Stand