Stand Firm - The Belt of Truth

Stand in the Lord’s Strength

D-Day, Major John Howard, Hold Until Relieved

“It is not the amount of strength we have that is important - only its source.” John MacArthur

God promises to strengthen his people, (ESV) you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Stand Against Satan’s Schemes

He is the Father of lies () a lier from the beginning.

He seeks to get you to doubt God’s Word, God’s goodness and God’s Grace. A crafty snake.

He tries to steal your joy through fear and worry, a roaring lion.

- a picture of nearly being overwhelmed by the success of those who hate God.

My feet had almost slipped, v2

Then I understood their end, They are in slippery places, v18

God is the strength of my heart and my portion, v26

Hold the Fort, for I am coming, Battle of Allatoona

Stand in the Truth of Christ

The Belt of Truth held the other pieces in place. It tied up the loose ends of the garment so that a soldier could fight effectively.

“ (ESV) Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Christ is the Truth that ties all of life together.

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The truth of Christ frees us from deception. - (ESV) “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The truth of Christ grounds us in reality, “ (ESV) “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

The truth is in Christ, (ESV) assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, .

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood Support me in the whelming flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.