OCTOBER 30, 2012
Stand
Fast
Read: 1 Kings 11:1-13
Shine
as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.
—Philippians
2:15-16
As
I waited to make a right-hand turn at a busy intersection, an ambulance
appeared over the crest of a hill, speeding in my direction. Someone behind
me
honked, urging me into the crossroads. I knew the ambulance would be
unlikely
to stop and that it could have been disastrous to make my turn. So
I kept my
foot on the brake pedal and stayed put.
Spiritually
speaking, we need to “stay put” and remain faithful to God
despite pressure
from others. King Solomon had to learn this the hard way.
He began his reign by
asking God for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9), and his prayer
at the dedication of
the temple revealed his loyalty (8:23,61). But he did not
remain committed. He
married many foreign women who eventually influenced
him to worship other gods.
By the end of his life, his “heart was not loyal
to the Lord” (11:1-6; Neh. 13:26).
Today,
just as in ancient times, people may prompt us to shift our loyalty
away from
God and His truth. Yet with God’s help we can hold fast to the
word of life
(Phil. 2:16). If you feel pressured to enter a dangerous intersection
of
beliefs, study God’s Word, put on His armor (Eph. 6:10-18), and ask the
Holy
Spirit for help (1 Cor. 2:10-12). Then stand fast with your fellow believers
in
Christ.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you—
Ye dare not trust your own. —Duffield
To avoid being pulled into error, keep a firm grip on the truth.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
