Stand Firm

In Old Testament Israel, as in most nations of that era, the king had great authority.  By a word from the king, the life of a anyone in the land could be ended.  In spite of this great risk, a lone prophet dared to stand before the King of Israel, the corrupt Ahab.  "'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word'" (1 Kings 17:1), the prophet asserted.  The God "before whom I stand."  Even though the prophet Elijah was standing before the most powerful man in the country, he made it clear that he really stood before God.  Ultimately, Elijah reported to God alone.

On February 4, 1906, twins were born to a couple in Germany.  Dietrich and his sister, Sabine, were born into a large, privileged family with a close and loving family life.  Little did the family guess the role Dietrich Bonhoeffer would play in his country's future.

Adolf Hitler quickly became an increasingly prominent figure in German politics.  In response to the state takeover of the church in Germany, Bonhoeffer began working in the Confessing Church, which had been organized in opposition to the state-run church.  He also began helping with seminary for the Confessing Church.

Bit by bit, the Nazi chokehold tightened on religious freedom in Germany.  The infamous Himmler declared the members of the Confessing Church liable to arrest.  Bonhoeffer was stripped of his teaching position at the Berlin University.  The seminary Bonhoeffer helped to start was shut down.  In November of 1937, over twenty of the pastors and former students of the seminary were arrested.  Later that month, Bonhoeffer wrote The Cost of Discipleship, calling Christians to a life of sacrifice.  Bonhoeffer certainly understood the possible cost in a way most others could not.  Silently, the Nazis continued to take away the rights of Bonhoeffer and other Christians in Germany's Third Reich.  Despite the risks, Bonhoeffer refused to be silent.  Working to undermine the Nazis, he persistently wrote truth and assisted the Resistance.  Even after his arrest in 1943, Bonhoeffer continued to write, refusing to back down in the face of adversity.  Ultimately, his boldness cost him his life.

Like Bonhoeffer, Elijah knew that he stood before the God of heaven and not a man on earth.  As human beings created by God, we are responsible to God alone.  No matter what threats we may face on this earth - be they unpopularity, embarrassment, danger, or even death - we have nothing to fear.  God is on our side.

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

According to Noah Webster, "boldness" means "confident trust" or "assurance."  We have victory through Jesus Christ!  Because of this assurance of victory, we can stand steadfast on earth and boldly work for the Lord.  He is the One for whom we work; He will reward us.


"Courage is contagious," noted Billy Graham.  "When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."  Because of Bonhoeffer's example, we are encouraged to take a stand for the truth of God as well.  Who are we to fear man who dies (Isaiah 51:12-13)?  We are servants of the Most High God - we are called to boldness.

"We fear men so much, because we fear God so little.  One fear cures another." - William Gurnall

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Ephesians 6:10-13, emphasis added

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