Stand Fast In The Lord

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Exodus 14,15 and 1Thessalonians 3

In the stunning conclusion to the 10 plagues, God demonstrated His might to the Israelites in the crossing of the Red Sea and the vanquishing of the Egyptians. As we recall the events than took place before, we see indeed how a single person's pride brought a mighty empire to it's knees. As the ministers of Pharaoh pleaded, "...knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?" (Ex 10:7) Yet even so, Pharaoh would have none of it till finally he himself perished in the Red Sea. It is no wonder that there has been no archaeological evidence of this bit of ancient Egyptian history. It was such a shameful and painful period than subsequent Pharaohs sought to wipe off any evidence of such an incident.

In the last phrase of the "Song of Moses" in Ex 15, the writer wrote:
Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. ~ Ex 15:16-18

This is the type of our status in Christ. (c.f. 1Co 10:1-4) God has purchased us with the blood of Christ (1Pe 1:18-20).Our heavenly inheritance awaits us (1Pe 1:4), being joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17). Such rich glory! Such wondrous love!

This was the sentiment echoed as we continue our reading in 1Thess 3.
v. 8 is a short but powerful statement - "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord."
Just as trials and tribulations came upon the Israelites, Paul tells the brethren that even faithful workers of God should expect afflictions and persecutions and they were not to be affected negatively as a result.
Very often, the suffering of others seem to affect us more. We cannot wrap our minds around why people of great faith can suffer. Thus Paul wrote to encourage the brethren to continue to stand fast. That would be the greatest comfort that they could give Paul and his fellow workers. (1Th 3:7,8)

The expression "stand fast" is a single word "steko" in Greek, which literally means being stationary. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to be "stedfast, unmoveable" (1Co 15:58), both conveying the idea of being stubbornly fixated. Hang on! Never sway! Hold on to the everlasting truths of His Word. The exact opposite of that being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph 4:14).

Truly, there's no greater joy than hearing children of God walk in truth (3Jn 4). And our hope and prayer that we continue to stand fast in the Lord, come what may, that those who watch over us may give a joyous account (Heb 13:17), that we may be found as good and faithful servants, entering into the joy of our Lord. (Mat 25:21,23)

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13