Stand Firm in the Lord

by Hugh DeLong

"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved" (Philippians 4:1).

Our relationship with the Lord comes with resistance from the world and the devil. Often, it isn’t the ‘big pushback’ but the smaller, continual one that wears us down. There are several aspects in this fourth chapter that help strengthen us for this.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

Here we see that our perception of life and its settings isn’t a matter of mood or emotion but of will. Knowing what we have and are IN THE LORD, offsets any and all negatives against us.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

One of the greatest elements that strengthens us is consistent, effective prayer. When you find resistance to obeying Jesus’s teaching, pray.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

This shows the need for good thinking. So many passages address this in different ways: transforming our minds (Romans 12:2), being renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:22-23), and setting our minds on things above, not on things below (Colossians 3:2).

How firm is your standing?