Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Our Verse of the Day is found at the very end of 1 Corinthians, a book packed full of so much that Paul wrote to the church of Corinth. And here, at the very tail end of this large letter, Paul is wrapping everything up and saying, here are some key things you need to know. This is a verse we could almost have every day as a focal point—a check to see where we're at as we go into the day.
It's 1 Corinthians chapter 16, verse 13. "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."
Be on Guard
What a great reminder as we go into each day. A lot of times when we start breaking down this verse and we get to be on guard, we can default to thinking, okay, so I'm always having to be stressed out and worried and on guard for what might possibly happen. No—that's not actually what this passage is talking about.
Imagine if you knew karate. Maybe you do, or maybe you know somebody who does. Knowing karate is always being prepared for situations that come up. But does that mean that everywhere you go, you have to wear your karate suit—constantly looking like you're ready to defend yourself at all times, stressing out about what may happen? Can you imagine if everyone who knew karate walked around with their black belt on everywhere they went, feeling like they had to be ready to whip out their karate moves at any moment? You'd think that was ridiculous.
The same goes for being on guard. It's not about constantly looking stressed and outwardly prepared. Being on guard is actually about all of the work that goes into learning how to defend and protect yourself—the hours of training and preparation—so that when things come up, you can respond without panicking. That's why Scripture says to be prepared to give an answer for your faith and the hope that you have in Christ. That doesn't mean you have to have a doctorate in theology or be a pastor. It means be in the Word of God constantly. You're training for the true battle we fight—which is not with flesh and blood. It's through the power of the Word of God and the Spirit of God living within us, training us to always be on guard.
Stand Firm in the Faith
The next layer of this verse says stand firm in the faith. Why is standing firm so important? Well, I wrestled a long time ago—and trust me, I wasn't that great. But one of the things you learn in wrestling or karate or similar disciplines is that balance is extremely important. If you are off balance, you can easily be toppled and taken advantage of, and danger can overwhelm you. That's why standing firm—maintaining that balance in our lives—matters so much.
One of the most significant things that throws us off balance is doubt. Now, doubt is not bad. God can handle our doubts when we bring them to Him. But don't allow doubts to overwhelm you. Sometimes we have doubts and we allow them to just sit there and fester. When you have doubts, bring them to the Lord. Recognize that doubts cause us to go off balance—and we don't want to stay off balance. Address the doubts. Get them resolved. The truth of Scripture can handle your doubts. But don't stay there. Find ways to work through them and stand firm in your faith.
Be Courageous and Be Strong
The last one: "Be courageous. Be strong." Now, a lot of you may think, I'm not very courageous. Please understand—courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is doing what is right in spite of the fear. Be courageous, be strong, and don't worry about the fact that you may not feel strong today. I would echo what Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 12: "My grace"—this is from the Lord—"is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness."
Even if you're feeling weak today, you can still be strong through the power of God in your life. Let me read this verse over you one more time. Be on guard today. Stand firm in your faith. Don't let the doubts get the best of you. Be courageous—keep doing what's right in spite of the fear. Be strong in His strength, not letting your own weakness define you. Allow His strength to define your day today as you live this verse out, and see God's power and presence at work.
