Standing

"Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me." (Psalm 69: 1, 2 KJV)

Standing, standing with, standing together, standing for, standing firm, standing by, standing beside, standing tall (upright), standing in, standing out, standing down, standing up, standing around, standing between, standing before, etc.

And then there are words like "withstand," and technical terms like "legal standing." and phrases like "take a stand." There is also the word "stance," being either a physical positioning with the legs and feet or a firm belief in something.

We all know how important is a good "stance" or "standing" for various physical activities. A "firm footing," as in sports or warfare, is very important. A batter in baseball also knows the necessity of getting a good "stance" and a "firm footing" in preparing to strike the ball. He knows how important it is to be "well grounded."

Fighters , combatants, and wrestlers also know the importance of obtaining a good "stance" and how to "withstand." Golf and football players also know that having a good stance is essential to performing well.

It takes strong legs and knees to stand physically, but it also takes strong spiritual legs and knees, spiritual powers, to stand spiritually.

"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees." (Isaiah 35: 3 KJV)

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." (Hebrews 12: 11-13 KJV)

Yes, the primary reference is to the actual physical legs and knees, which literally get "weak" and lose power when the mind is stressed or alarmed. This is why people go limp and fall to the floor in a swoon at such times. They lose strength in the legs and the knees. But, a strong and courageous heart can give strength to the whole person and keep him from drooping and fainting. A helper is able to "lift up" the "hands (arms) which hang down (droop or sag)" and to "strengthen the feeble knees" by encouraging the mind and comforting the heart with good and truthful words.

It also often requires faith and a courageous heart, as well as some firm ground or foundation upon which to stand. The Psalmist spoke of not being able to find standing in quicksand. This has its spiritual significance in being a picture of the state or standing of the sinner, while in his sins (quicksand), a place in which he finds it impossible to stand.

There are those who "stand in the battle" (Ezekiel 13: 5 KJV), and this is true also in the spiritual realm, in battling erroneous ideas, and fighting false opinions. Christians are "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" and therefore they are called upon to "take a stand," to have "stances" on moral and spiritual issues and concerns.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5: 2 KJV)

"By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand." (I Peter 5: 12 KJV)

Christians have their "standing" before God "in grace." To be "standing in grace" is far superior to any other kind of "standing." It is certainly far better than our "standing" under the law that condemns us as sinners worthy of death. To "stand" as one "acquitted" and "cleared" is better than to "stand condemned." To stand justified is better than to stand guilty and excuseless. To "stand in the grace of God" is the same as standing in mercy. It is contrary to standing upon merit or desert as judged by the law.

"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1: 24 KJV)

"Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear." (Romans 11: 20 KJV)

"Standing in grace" is intimately connected with "standing by faith." This is seen when we compare "faith through grace" (Acts 18: 27) with "grace through faith." (Ephesians 2: 8 & Romans 4: 16) To have grace is to have faith, and to have faith is to have grace. Both faith and grace are gifts and creations of God, and are presented as being that which is given sovereignly and freely by Lord God, and is opposed to merit. He "has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens." (Romans 9: 15)

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright." (Psalm 20: 7, 8 KJV)

The righteous man is viewed here, by the Psalmist, as the proverbial "last man standing." Others are destined to be "brought down" and "abased," while others are destined to be "uplifted" and "raised," and left alone standing upright, as victors after defeating enemies in battle. Jesus taught us that it was the proud or uplifted in heart (haughty) who will be "brought down" and "abased," while the humble and meek would be "raised," and "exalted," and "left standing." (Matthew 23: 12; Luke 14: 11. 18: 14)

"For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it." (Proverbs 2: 21, 22 KJV)

"But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15: 13 KJV)

The righteous, the humble and meek followers of Christ, are the ones who will be "left standing" when the world is on fire.

"Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" (Psalm 76: 7 KJV)

"If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" (Psalm 130: 3 KJV)

"Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him." (Nahum 1: 6 KJV)

"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?" (Malachi 3: 2 KJV)

"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6: 17 KJV)

To think that one can stand before this God of wrath, as a justly condemned sinner, with unforgiven sin, is truly foolhardy. Sinners will "melt like wax" before the Lord, for "God is a consuming fire."

"As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God." (Psalm 68: 2 KJV)

"For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12: 29 KJV)

To stand before God one surely must be "standing in grace" and "standing by faith," and have "legal standing" in Christ.

"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." (Romans 14: 10 KJV)

This is part of the message of the gospel. The gospel does not only tell of the story of Jesus' first coming, and his former career, but of his coming again too, and of his future fortunes and what that means for the world. Part of the gospel message is to tell others of the second coming and of the Day of Judgment that will transpire upon his return. (See Romans 2: 16) They are to be told that they will all "stand before God to give account." Thus, every sinner needs to make sure of his "standing" before God and his law, before he dies and meets God in judgment.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Corinthians 10: 12 KJV)

Thus, the exhortation to be sure of one's standing and not to simply wish or vainly hope about the matter.

"I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him." (Ecclesiastes 8: 2, 3 KJV)

That is certainly sound advice. Never stand in an evil thing, but only stand in what is good. To stand for God and righteousness, and to stand for truth and justice, are examples of standing in a good thing. But, sinners stand condemned, and stand in quicksand, and stand in evil or sin.

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." (Ezekiel 22: 30 KJV)

That is what every army needs! Soldiers and brave souls who will "brave the gap" and stand in that perilous place in defense of what is good and right. This is what every spokesman for the Lord and his word also is called upon to do for the Lord when men are verbally assuaulting the oracles of God.

"But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12: 13 KJV)

Jesus, when he died upon the cross, as a representative for believers, and as a divinely provided sacrificial substitute (wherein he "took the place of" his legal representatives, or "clients," or "principals"), he "stood in for" the sinner, legally or vicariously "standing in his place." So, Daniel, like every believer, will surely be blessed to "stand in" his destined place (or 'lot') at the grand climax of the world. Because Jesus stood in for us we are able to stand at last.

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." (Zechariah 3: 7 KJV)

"Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth." (4: 14)

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21: 36 KJV)

Able and blessed to both stand "before" God, without melting or perishing, and "beside" the heavenly host of holy beatific beings, is truly a marvelous thing.

"Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14: 4 NKJV)

Why do some "stand" and "withstand" while others fall and perish at the presence of God and truth? Can they credit themselves? Can they credit their own powers? Surely they can only credit the Lord. Everyone who ultimately and successfully "stands" the coming judgment is one whom God "made to stand."

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand." (I Corinthians 15: 1 KJV)

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." (I Corinthians 16: 13 KJV)

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1 KJV)

"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." (Philippians 4: 1 KJV)

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (I Peter 5: 9 KJV)

Standing in Christ, in the gospel, in the truth and word of God, in the liberty that Christ has given to believing sinners, and in grace and by faith, is truly to "stand firmly."

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." (Ephesians 6: 11, 13, 14 KJV)

Able to "withstand," or to stand even when others fall because of weak and feeble knees, or because of defeat, is the lot of the Christian.

In the above words of the apostle, he three times calls upon Christians to "stand" and once to "withstand."

Friend, has this lesson brought you to think about your own standing before the Lord? Has it not also shown you the way of salvation?