Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Hebrews 12:12
It was Pompeii, AD 79.
As the story goes, the Roman sentry heard, saw, and smelled all of life crumbling around him. Vesuvius had erupted.
Yet he hadn’t been dismissed from his post.
So he stood.
Still stood.
Should we do any less?
There’s only one way we’re abled—by staying near the throne. It’s there we’ll receive mercy and find grace to stand firm (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus showed us how. He was faithful to carry out his Father’s will in the face of enemies (Hebrews 3:1-2). Tempted yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Endured the worst to secure the best (Hebrews 12:2-3). Because he stayed near God.
God keeps his promises.
So our confidence is in him, not ourselves.
In his faithfulness, not our own.
The only reason we can be faithful is because he is.
And our faithfulness—in big things and small things—will encourage others to stay in his presence, too. If we’ll stay with hope at our post until dismissed, God will strengthen us . . .
- to be bold
- to love
- to do good works
- to do his will
- to receive rewards
. . . if we’ll stand now.
Still stand.
* * *
In the horror of Monday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon, how can we encourage each other to still stand?
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT DO NOT DEPART
REVISED HERE FOR THE ARCHIVES
