Psalm 1:3 (TPT);

“He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s Design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of his life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.”

ARE YOU STANDING FIRM?

 

“Standing Firm” in front of me at the checkout counter, she gives the cashier careful instructions on packaging her purchases for the walk home. I am curious to ask her how old she is. When I do, she turns to me with a beautiful smile and says, “I am eighty-seven years old and I will be eighty-eight on January fifteenth. I live all by myself and even mow my own lawn with one of those push mowers. Not the electric kind, the kind you push.” I comment on her good health; she says, “Yes, I am blessed with good health; even when I had knee problems for two years, I told the doctor that I would not have an operation. I started doing rehabilitation exercises at home, and they got better.” Walking out of the grocery store together, I think to myself; “This is a Woman Who Stands.”

“Did you pray for your friend?” I ask the young girl. “Yes, all three of us prayed,” she replies. “All three of you? Who is the third person?” I ask. “Her sister,” she responds. “Standing Firm,” this young girl reaches out and prays for both her friend and her friend’s sister! I marvel at her boldness as she allows The Holy Spirit of The Living God to move so powerfully through her! This young girl is “The Blossoming of A Woman Who Stands.”

These two Mighty Warriors of The Most-High God are bold examples of Psalm 1:3. “Standing Firm like flourishing trees.” They remind us that we can choose to “bear fruit in every season of our life.” Despite our age or the difficulty of circumstances before us.

STANDING CHARACTER

 

2nd Timothy 1:7 (AMPC) gives us insight into the “Standing Character” of someone who is “Standing Firm” in The Lord.  

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

If we allow fear to have a foothold in our walk with God, then we are no longer “Standing Firm.” “Strong in The Lord and The Power of His Might.” (Ref. Ephesians 6:10). “Standing Firm” means that we are “walking in love” and “displaying The Power of God” in our lives. “The Power of His Love” leads us to make decisions with “a calm and well-balanced mind.” Cultivating “discipline and self-control,” make us “sure-footed and stable” as we “Stand Firm” on His Word! Fully developed in, “Standing Character.”

SURE-FOOTED AND STABLE

Merriam Webster:

SURE-FOOTED = Not liable to stumble, fall or err.

STABLE = Firmly established, fixed, steadfast.

Proverbs 4:12 (AMPC);

“When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.”

GIFT OF PRAYER

 

Simple, Direct, Effective. The following prayer from a Beloved Pastor is one of the greatest gifts to my husband and me:

“Father, I pray that Mark and Clare would be sure-footed and stable so that others can follow.”

The immeasurable impact of revelation from this prayer continually strengthens Mark and me to “Stand Firm.” “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.” (Ref Zech. 4:6 (b). We have learned and continue to learn that “Sure-footed Stability” is a (spirit, soul, and body) work of The Holy Spirit. The ongoing yielding of our lives to God and His Word allows us to “Rise Again” when we stumble. My friend, living out this principle in our lives is paramount to “Standing Firm” in the face of adversity.  

Proverbs 24:16 (TPT);

“For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again. But the unrighteous are brought down by just one calamity and will never be able to rise again.”

RISE VICTORIOUS

 

As Believers in Christ Jesus, we are all called to “Rise Victorious.” To be “sure-footed and stable so that others can follow” us as “we follow Christ.” (Ref.1st Cor. 1:11). We must learn to “Stand Firm,” even if we are the only ones standing.

Esther 4:16 (AMPC);

“Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the King, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.”

When the stakes are high, are we found “Standing Firm” in our place of calling?

 

My friend, do not bow down to evil when God has created you to “Rise Victorious.” Queen Esther is a beautiful woman who embodies “Standing Firm” no matter the cost. We live in a time when God is directing The Body of Christ to recognize who we are in Christ Jesus and “Rise Victorious!” Our obedience, like Esther’s, to follow God’s instructions can determine the victories of those around us. Esther’s overcoming faith gives her the courage to “Stand Firm.” She follows her Uncle Mordecai’s guidance, too, “go before the King” and petition him for the lives of her fellow Jews.

Esther 7:3 (AMPC);

“Then Queen Esther said If I have found favor in your sight, O King and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request.”

What has God called you to petition for on behalf of His Kingdom?

 

Don’t Remain Silent:

Esther 4:14 (MEV);

“For if you remain silent at this time, protection and deliverance for the Jews will be ordained from some other place, but you and your father’s house shall be destroyed. And who knows if you may have attained royal position for such a time as this?”

 Esther teaches us that we are called for, “such a time as this,” and we must not “remain silent!” It is unwise to underestimate and undervalue the preparation process of our calling. Without the process maturing to full completion, we forfeit the “Standing Faith” needed to “Face The King.” If “Standing Faith” is absent in our walk with God, we lose hope for our future while stumbling in fear. Quickly leading us to abort the petition entrusted to our Priestly Position as Believers in Jesus Christ. The repercussion? “Protection and deliverance will be ordained from some other place. Where is our “Standing Faith?”

STANDING FAITH

“Now Faith” is “Standing Faith.”

Hebrews 11:1 (TPT);

“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.”

Through prayer and fasting, Esther’s “NOW FAITH” strengthens her with “Standing Faith” in The Presence of God. The result? Esther obtains an overcoming, “POSTURE OF FAITH!” Her “Now Faith” equips her to “Stand Firm” in the face of death and “Rise Victorious!” Glory to God! With her life spared and her petition answered, Esther, brings forth a victory of “Standing Faith” that the Jews celebrate to this day.

  1. Has your petition been answered?
  2. Are you “Standing Firm” in the preparation process of your calling?
  3. Are you ready to go, “Before The King?”

As Citizens of Heaven, we must have “Standing Faith” and walk with the same “Posture of Faith” that Esther exemplifies. “Standing Firm” with “Now Faith,” our stance is immovable! Our focus is unbreakable! Our determination for the Kingdom of God is unbeatable, and our love for people is unshakeable! This describes the “Sure-footed and Stable Footing” of a Royal Priesthood, “Standing Firm Before The King!”

Matthew 10:39 (NLT);

“If you cling to your life you will lose it, but if you give up your life for Me you will find it.”  

 

Bible Strong: Is a complemental foundation.

© 2022 Clare Matthews – Boldly For Him. “All Rights Reserved.”

Photo: Jeremy Bezanger

Clare Matthews
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