We must stand firm

Redwood trees are amazing. They are the tallest trees on earth growing to over 300 feet. The oldest living redwood is 2,200 years old. Many believe some redwoods are much older. Redwood trees are strong. Their bark may be a foot thick. The bark contains tannin that protects the tree from fire, insects, fungus and diseases.

God wants us to be strong also. In Philippians 4:1 the apostle Paul says, “…stand firm in the Lord,my beloved.” Stand firm means to be spiritually stable. It is the opposite of falling. When the wind blows, we are to stand strong! In Philippians 4:1-7 four elements enable us to stand strong.

The first element is fellowship. God spends three verses focusing on fellowship. Fellowship is a fancy word for friendship. Paul understood the importance of good friends. Verse 1 says, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” Paul enjoyed deep friendships with the Philippians.

Verse 2 encourages two women in the church to get along. “I entreat Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” The old saying is true, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.” A single redwood may topple over in the wind. The roots of multiple redwoods intertwine creating a strong family of trees. We need each other!

The second element is joy. Verse 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is based on happenings or happenstance or circumstances. Joy rises above circumstances. Joy flows from right theology. It is the knowledge that God is sovereign. He orchestrates the events of your life. He has a plan!

Paul was not writing from a beach on the French Riviera. He experienced a riot, false arrest, imprisonment, a corrupt criminal justice system and shipwreck. He was under arrest in Rome chained to the Praetorian Guard when he wrote these words. He thought biblically and the result was joy.

The third element is flexibility. Verse 5 reads, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” Gentleness means “graciousness, sweetness, flexibility.” Life has many twists and turns. Life does not turn out the way we expect- especially in these difficult times. We need to be flexible.

Recently the Houston Middle School building was condemned. The main walls built of concrete block did not survive the earthquake. There was not enough flexibility! Wood provides more flex than block. We must be flexible.

Our Lord Jesus was flexible. From eternity past He was God. He became the God-Man and lived a perfect life. He died in our place. One person said, “Jesus died. That is history. Jesus died for sin. That is theology. Jesus died for my sin. That is the gospel!” Today He is at the right hand of God the Father.

We can be flexible or gracious because “the Lord is near.” All things will be made right at the Second Coming. Jesus is close to His people. He is watching over us and loving us.

The fourth element is prayer. We are commanded in verse 6, “Do not be anxious about anything.” God’s prescription for worry is, “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Thankful prayer says, “I thank You in advance for what You are doing. Your will is perfect. Your plan is the best. I trust You with the future.”

Martin Luther said, “Today I have so much to accomplish I must spend time in prayer.” Thankful prayer produces the peace that passes all understanding.

A redwood tree can use up to 500 gallons of water per day. The key to their success is water. They love the winter rains and the summer fog. As we meditate on the truth of God’s Word we will be strong. Let’s be stable, steadfast, strong and resolute for God’s glory.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.