Stand Firm and Win
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24: 12-13
There is no doubt, wickedness is on the increase in our day. Greed, corruption, deceit, hatred, envy, have become daily themes. Some would argue that these vices have always been there, and indeed they have. However, they are cyclical and right now they are on the increase. These vices are like a mark on the wheel of culture. They go up and then down. In this season the mark is up.
In a bid for self-preservation, many people are closing in, preferring to be on their own, or only with their immediate family. Some are closing in because they are experiencing depression. The lockdown and this new normal is hard on many. And still others are closing in because the world suddenly feels like a less hospitable space; not only do we have to be aware of COVID-19 and the threat it poses to our health, we also have to contend with a world where the love of many seems to have grown cold.
How are we to respond to this environment? God’s word reminds us to stand firm. Stand firm, means do not retreat, do not cave in, be resolute. No doubt these instructions are easier said then done. I am however, reminded of times, when some of us have had to step into the blustery wind on a bitingly cold winter evening. We almost always employ the same strategy. We put on our winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves and we resolutely step into the chilly air. Which means that even in this “everyone for himself/herself and God for us all type of world,” we can stand firm. We just have to put on, our full spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) so we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
God promises that those who stand firm to the end, will be saved. While many are closed in, find ways to safely reach out. Keep God’s warmth radiating out to others through acts of sacrifice and faith. Encourage the discouraged, inspire the uninspired and pray for those who feel lost or depressed. Continue to stand in the faith, spreading God’s love in this season. His salvation is at hand, hold on, stand firm, do not go in, go out and tell the world that Jesus is LORD.
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are always with me. In the good and the bad seasons, your strength is my strength. In this season where the love of most appears to be growing cold, make me an instrument of your warmth. Fill me with your anointing so that everything I do in your name will have an eternal significance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!