Stand Firm!

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During the Revolutionary War, in the heat of the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, when the American line began to falter under brutal British fire, a South Carolina soldier named Daniel McJunkin stood his ground. You see, earlier that day, he had made a promise to the Lord that tied his own hands:

“Whatever may befall me this day, I shall not retreat.”

Although he was pierced by an enemy bullet in the side, bleeding and gasping for air, McJunkin was bound and determined to stay in the fight. Once his fellow patriots saw his courage, they rallied simply because one downed soldier wouldn’t run. Much like Paul’s call to action for the Ephesian Christians:

Having done all… stand firm! - Eph 6:13

McJunkin wasn’t famous. American kids won’t read about him in their history books. But a lesson in his resolve can certainly be learned. It’s essential to note that when confronted by enemy assault, you don’t have to be a minister or a combat hero. But what you do have to do is stand firm.

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Never Retreat!

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That story from the Revolutionary War may sound fine and all, and although it may be pertinent to celebrating July 4th, does it actually hold any practical application for Christians? Most definitely, yes.

Did you know when the evil one tries to assail us, we’re instructed not to run?

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Similar to a grizzly bear barreling down …what’s the worst thing you can do? Run away.

Also, consider the Armor of God as listed in Ephesians 6:10-17. Have you ever noticed how the only part of the body that is not protected is the back? What’s the implication? It’s clear soldiers of Christ do not retreat. We do not run away.

One ought never to turn one’s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never! - Winston Churchill

What we are called upon to flee from is sin (similar to fugitives running away from something as taken from the Latin word for flee, fugitivus). We’re to be a fleeing man from sin; that’s an entirely separate conversation.

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Run to and through the Storm!

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Whether it's spiritual, physical, or emotional fist-fights, they're not always relegated to the battlefields. Spiritual warfare, like trench warfare, can take place anywhere, and it's a very real thing.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12

Worse still, when such battles arise, especially during holidays like the 4th of July or in the summertime when it's bright and sunny under crisp blue skies, most people tell themselves, "I'm supposed to be happy." "Says who?" I say because that only makes things worse.

Which of these sound familiar? If you’re being real, there are at least a few.

Our son/daughter entered rehab (AGAIN!)

I blabbed my big mouth (AGAIN!)

I failed (AGAIN!)

I made a bad investment (AGAIN!)

I caught my spouse cheating (AGAIN!)

My anxiety returned (AGAIN!)

I slipped (AGAIN!)

My boss crushed my spirit (AGAIN!)

I’m putting on weight (AGAIN!)

The illness has only gotten worse (AGAIN!)

I’m in a toxic relationship (AGAIN!)

The medical report was bad (AGAIN!)

I fell (AGAIN!)

We took out another loan (AGAIN!)

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Look. The fact of the matter is when facing severe obstacles, like any of the ones listed above, it’s best to lean in and come out swinging.

Did you know that when Bison see a storm approaching, they run to it to get through it more quickly? Think about it-since they can't outrun it, running away from it would only prolong their stay in it.

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that Or what about young David when he confronted Goliath in the Valley of Elah? He didn't walk to face the nine-foot warrior who was spewing out death threats against the young shepherd. He ran!He ran! to meet the Philistine. - 1 Samuel 17:48

Incredibly, David was willing to fight Goliath at all. The fact that he sprinted toward what seemed like a certain death is astounding. He killed the giant in the end, but first, he had to run toward the very thing that terrified him the most. Notice how we're still talking about his bravery today.

When you feel that panicky fight-or-flight sensation and you want to flee, do the opposite. It is counterintuitive, but the right choice for you is to override your emotions and run toward whatever storm (or war) you are facing. You must never forget:

‍When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
— Isaiah 43:2

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Jesus said "For those who have ears to hear."