Pondering Life : Pursuing God

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1 COR 16:13 NLT

 

ACTION WORDS

Be on guard

Stand fast / firm

Be brave

Be strong

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

 

2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Psalm 31:24
Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

Matthew 24:42
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Colossians 1:11
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

1 Thessalonians 3:8
For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

 

SELECT COMMENTARY

 

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Chrysostom’s Note on these words brings out their meaning well. “Now in saying these things, he seems indeed to advise; but he is reprimanding them as indolent. Wherefore he saith, Watch, as though they slept; stand, as though they were rocking to and fro; quit you like men, as though they were playing the coward; let all your things be done with charity, as though they were in dissensions. And the first caution refers to the deceivers, viz., Watch, stand; the next to those who plot against us, quit you like men; the third to those who make parties and endeavour to distract, let all your things be done with charity, which thing is the bond of perfection, and the root and the fountain of all blessings.”

 

Matthew Henry Commentary
16:13-18 A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation. Christians should be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts, but shines in their lives. There is a great difference between Christian firmness and feverish warmth and transport. The apostle gave particular directions as to some who served the cause of Christ among them. Those who serve the saints, those who desire the honour of the churches, and to remove reproaches from them, are to be thought much of, and loved. They should willingly acknowledge the worth of such, and all who laboured with or helped the apostle.

 

My Pondering

You storm ⛈ may be big but God is always bigger.

His goal is to make you better by drawing you closer.

In many ways, life is a test.

Ultimately, you have two choices in regard to God and life: bitter or better.

Not an isolated ” i ” (bitter) but ” e ” (better) with He.

You and God make better.

We and God make bestest, as in best test.

 

This life is one of balancing and preserving to good. We are instructed to ‘be on guard’, to keep watching diligently, Yet, we are also told to abide and rest in the Lord. It is a combo experience of allowing the Lord to do his part while doing our little part.

 

These are strong words for strong people who draw their strength from God; who exercise their faith fully.

 

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me stand strong and keep watch. To be on guard to the attacks of our advisory and keep eye out our the return of our Savior.