Having Done All, Stand!
Approximately 25% of the bones in your body are located in your feet; each foot contains 26 bones, making up about a quarter of the total bones in the human body. So important are the balance, posture, ambulation, and support qualities of the feet, that some have called these bi-pedal wonders the "starting infrastructure" of the rest of the body.
We are repeatedly exhorted in the Scriptures to "stand firm" in the faith.
Surely, the full Armour of God will both protect us against assualt, as well as equip us to take up the offensive against the schemes of the devil. But when was the last time you saw a great soldier lying down?
The full weight of all that armour can be daunting. As such, it's so important to have a firm and resolute foundation beneath us! That is why the Scriptures call us to, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith," and to act like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV), so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes," and to "be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 610-15, NIV).
Protect your feet! — the foundation upon which all our faith is based! "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11, NIV).
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:10-15, NIV).
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV).
"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved (Philippians 4:1, ESV).
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, ESV).
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1, ESV).
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27, ESV).
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV).
"Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith" (2 Corinthians 1:24, ESV).
Spiritual Loopholes
“If you find a loophole in a contract or an insurance policy, it will constitute an escape route for one of the parties. …
“During the Middle Ages, architects and builders had to deal with the matter of defending a castle once it was erected. Long-bows, followed by crossbows, were formidable weapons typically used by both the attackers and defenders. A narrow window, often oval at the top and wider at the inner side of a thick wall, was found to offer a difficult target from across a moat. At the same time, such an opening was big enough to enable defenders to fire at will.
“This special form of ‘loophole’ saved the hide of many a lord of the manor. When firearms made it obsolete, its name transferred to any ‘opening’ that provides an advantage to one party in a dispute or an agreement.”
Webb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books, including Civil War Curiosities and Civil War Trivia and Fact Book before his death in 2000.
Likewise, God's word serves is a "loophole" to those who take refuge in it. By donning the word of God, we are able to stand firm against the fiery darts and assaults of the devil.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17).
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Grace on the Molecular Level
Speaking of the vast dangers confronting our physical health and wellbeing, authors Philip Yancey and Paul Brand have this to say
"Because of the staggering range of invaders confronting a person in a lifetime, the body must stockpile an enormous arsenal of weapons. Immunologists share a little joke which they cite when asked how the body can possibly prepare every type of antibody required on our perilous world: 'GOD,' they reply: In this case GOD is an acronym for Generator of Diversity, expressing the body's astounding ability to manufacture whatever defense is needed. Dr. Ronald Glasser calls the process "a mixture of mystery and chemistry ... a combination of physics and grace down at the molecular level."
Philip Yancey worked for 10 years as an Editor and then Publisher for Campus Life magazine before beginning a career as a freelance writer in the 1980s. He has written over 20 books and is among this generation’s most respected Christian authors.
Dr. Paul Brand, son of missionary parents, was a world-renowned hand surgeon and pioneer in developing tendon transfer techniques for use in the hands of those with leprosy. He trained in medicine at the University College Hospital in London and later gained his surgical qualifications while working as a casualty surgeon during the London Blitz. After visiting a Leprosy Sanatorium at Chingleput, he was motivated to explore the reasons behind the deformities of this disease. He established the New Life Rehabilitative Center and authored/coauthored several books, including Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image.
In the physical realm, our bodies are attacked on a molecular level. This means that for our health's sake, God must defend our every molecule. It shouldn't surprise us to discover that He does exactly the same thing for our spiritual health. God protects and defends our souls so that there can be no breach, no threat that would put us in peril. His grace covers us down to the molecular level.
"My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:3, NLT).
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