Stand in Your Place

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage

Judges 7:1-8:17

"And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled."  Judges 7:21 (NKJV)

On April 17, 1521, Martin Luther stood alone against the rallied forces of the Church and virtually all political power in Europe.  He stood to defend his writings concerning "justification by faith."  He there uttered the now famous words:  "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen." 

Against incredible pressure, Luther took his stand, and the course of world history was altered.  There is nothing more awesome than a man or woman standing despite great pressure against spiritual darkness -- standing for truth -- standing for right.  Surely, Satan fears such a person.

On June 4, 1989, a lone young man stood against a columns of tanks in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.  His act of heroism has inspired the continuing efforts for freedom around the world.  This is a fight that takes place in every area of life -- but the most important is the spiritual realm.

Gideon's men were such men of courage.  Scripture says that Gideon's army was whittled down from 32,000 to 300.  They then faced an enemy "as numerous as locusts ... without number, as the sand by the seashore."  These heroes "stood in their place."  As a result, God gave a great victory. 

This is the call of our day:  "STAND IN YOUR PLACE."  Stand strong.  Hold to truth.  Do not back down.  Such are people that God will defend.  He Himself will rout the enemy!