Let's Get Active - Standing

Standing is Active

Ephesians 6:11–18 NKJV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 2705 ἵσταμαι

2705 ἵσταμαι (histamai), ἱστάνω (histanō), ἵστημι (histēmi): vb.; ≡ Str 2476; TDNT 7.638—1. LN 85.40 put, cause to be in a place, place, make stand (Mt 18:2; Ac 5:27; 6:13; Jn 8:3 v.r.); 2. LN 76.20 maintain, uphold; to acknowledge the validity of something (Ro 3:31); 3. LN 76.21 establish, authorize, put in force (Ro 10:3; Heb 10:9); 4. LN 57.158 pay, count out a sum of money (Mt 26:15); 5. LN 30.87 select, choose, put forward a particular selection (Ac 1:23), for another interp, see next; 6. LN 33.343 propose, recommend (Ac 1:23), for another interp, see prior; 7. LN 17.1 (dep.) stand (Ac 5:25); 8. LN 17.6 (dep.) stand up (Jn 7:37); 9. LN 85.8 (dep.) be in a place, exist in a location (Mt 16:28); 10. LN 68.42 (dep.) cease, stop (Lk 8:44); 11. LN 13.90 (dep.) continue to be, keep on existing (Mt 12:25); 12. LN 13.29 (dep.) remain firmly, stay in a particular state (Jn 8:44; Ro 5:2; 1Co 15:1); 13. LN 31.7 (dep.) ἵσταμαι ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ (histamai en tē kardia), continue one’s opinion, formally, stand at the heart (1Co 7:37+)

Strong’s Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary 2476 ἵστημι

a prolonged form of a primary stao, stah'-o (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitive or intransitive), used in various applications (literal or figurative) :- abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare <G5087> (tithemi).

Matthew 20:6 NKJV

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’

Acts 3:5–8 NKJV

5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 6641 עָמַד

6641 עָמַד (ʿā·mǎḏ): v.; ≡ Str 5975; TWOT 1637—1. LN 57.71–57.124 (qal) present, i.e., stand in front of a superior as an offering, or for evaluation (Ge 43:15); (hif) present (Lev 16:7), see also domain LN 53.16–53.27; (hof) be presented (Lev 16:10+); 2. LN 17.1–17.11 (qal) stand, stand up, stand still, i.e., be in a stance in which the body is vertical and straight, and so not bowed or prostrate (Jos 3:8), note: though bowing and standing can be a respectful state, apparently prostration has a focus on humbleness and submission, and standing has a focus on presentation for service or as a gift; (hif) cause to stand (2Ch 18:34); (hof) prop up, be caused to stand (1Ki 22:35+); 3. LN 30.86–30.107 (qal) be in charge, formally, stand, i.e., designate another for a position or task, based on a thoughtful decision or evaluation (Nu 7:2); (hif) appoint, assign, charge, install, formally, raise up (2Ch 19:5); 4. LN 35.1–35.18 (hif) sustain, make strong, i.e., make provision of any kind that is a help (2Ch 9:8); 5. LN 56.4–56.11 (qal) accuse, formally, stand, i.e., have an accusation brought in a legal setting (Isa 50:8); 6. LN 68.34–68.57 (qal) be still, i.e., be in a state of inactivity (1Sa 6:14), see also domain LN 42.7–42.28; 7. LN 67.78–67.117 (qal) endure, formally, stand, i.e., be in a duration of time which lasts for an indefinite period of time (Ps 111:3), note: for NIV text in Eze 29:7, see 5048; note: further study may yield more domains

Sometimes We Do Not Stand Because of Failure

Joshua 7:10 HCSB

10 The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you on the ground?

This was Joshua after the lost battle at AI. The town was so small they could only fit two letters on the sign.

Israel under Joshua’s guidance, had defeated the strongest city in Canaan - Jericho.

Then they moved on to the City of Ai.

After they spied out the city, they determines that it would only take a small contingency to defeat it, so they sent about 2000 soldiers out and they got - as we would say in Bethany - whipped. They lost 36 men while running away in retreat.

So Joshua goes before the Lord and starts “praying” (really he was complaining to God about how it made him look foolish).

Take a look at Joshua’s “prayer”

Joshua 7:6–12 HCSB

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the ark of the Lord with his face to the ground until evening, as did the elders of Israel; they all put dust on their heads. 7 “Oh, Lord God,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! 8 What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? 9 When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do about Your great name?” 10 The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you on the ground? 11 Israel has sinned. They have violated My covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put the things with their own belongings. 12 This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from you what is set apart.

Failure Happens When You Take What Belongs in God’s Hand and Put it in Your Hand

Joshua 6:18–19 NIV

18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.”

Verse 21 said they devoted the city to the Lord

Joshua 7:1–2 NKJV

1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

What is Blessed in God’s Hand, Becomes Cursed in Your Hand

One of the foremost things we take out of God’s hand is CONTROL. When we try to control what God has blessed, that thing begins to fall apart.

Ask any Christian businessman the difference in a surrendered business and a personally controlled business.

Ask any Godly Grandmother about a surrendered family/household versus a controlled household.

Jericho was the firstfruits - the tithe if you will.

Malachi 3:10–12 NKJV

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 1:6 NKJV

6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

In order for Israel to get God’s blessing back, a price for the transgression had to be paid. The wages of sin is death and Achan was put to death and the things he had taken returned to the treasury of God.

But here’s the Good News for you:

Taking a Stand Is Less About You and More About Him

Hebrews 4:15–16 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Because of our failures, mercy is what we need. Mercy is for the guilty.

But because of our Great High Priest, when we come for mercy because of our guilt, we receive grace because He has already paid the price.

7 Promises you can stand on:

Promise #1: I am your strength. Phil. 4:13

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). God will never call you into something that He is not fully willing and able to support you in. YOU alone may not have the strength but if you take your focus off of you and put it on the source of your strength (God), you will see that all things are truly possible with Him.

Promise #2: I will never leave you. Deut. 31:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Even during the darkest, most tumultuous times of our lives, we can rest assured that God is with us, even when we can’t feel His presence.

Promise #3: I have plans to prosper you. Jer. 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). God did not create you just to leave you to live a mediocre life. His plans for you were formed from the beginning of time. You can step right into that promise with confidence knowing that He knows what He’s doing.

Promise #4: I hear your prayers. John 14:13-14

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14). God promised that if we ask anything that is in line with the character of God and His purpose, He will answer. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but I do know he will answer your prayers.

Promise #5: I will fight for you. Exo. 14:14

“The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:14). Just like the Lord fought for the Israelites, He will fight for you. Even during the times that He calls for you to take action, HE will be the one to give you the strategy and still be right there with you, fighting for you.

Promise #6: I will give you peace. John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Our Lord Jesus gave us His peace before he departed. This peace is not something you have to earn or even pray for, it’s yours—receive it.

Promise #7: I always love you. 1 John 4:9-10

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). Just because we take that word lightly and throw it around without much thought, doesn’t mean God does. His love for us is not shallow and superficial, nor does it EVER change and He proved it through the sacrifice of His one and only Son.

Promise #8: Whoever calls on me will be saved. Rom. 10:13

Romans 10:13 NKJV

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Promise #9: If you call, I will answer. Jer. 33:3

Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

A promise I have stood on this week:

Psalm 118:17 NKJV

17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.