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Get On Your Feet

 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. (Exodus 14:13)

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

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. (Ephesians 6:11-15)

          The second of the broad goals for 2021 is to “get on my feet,” which can be said “to stand.” In my mind, this goal has to do with getting a grip, taking charge, getting things under control. This is where losing weight, getting in shape, establishing and living according to a strict budget, reading, writing, keeping the house clean, gardening, and all that stuff belongs.

          In other words, it’s the stuff that requires that I stand up to myself and not let myself get away with backing down or turning tail and running. But I’ve written before about my suspicions that we are going to face some major challenges and we will have to take a stand for what we believe to be right, and stand up to people who think it their responsibility and right to do whatever it takes to get their way.

          This next year, then, is a year when I want to focus even more on truth, doing what is right, and living in peace with God and the universe that He created. It will require that I face many enemies – and the worst of those enemies is Me, Myself, and I! It will also be a  year in which I will have to learn to stop and stand, to watch what God is doing.

           What sort of standing are you going to need to do?

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