Standing Fast

Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China

Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world, taking up about 109 acres, able to accommodate 10 million people.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a million people standing in one area, much less ten!!

Tiananmen Tower on the south was built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and other historical buildings joined it over the following centuries.  The remains of Chairman Mao Zedong are in a crystal coffin in the Memorial Hall that bears his name.

I’m preparing for next week’s Sunday School lesson covering Ephesians 6:10-14a.  Accompanying the lesson is a copy of this 1989 photograph of the student standing in front of the line of tanks, standing fast.

June 5, 1989 by Jeff Widener (The Associated Press)

What better selection to use for the admonition:  Stand!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV)

Unfortunately, we do not stand against tanks but against things that often go unnoticed or are considered unimportant.  For our teens, it’s often peer pressure.  They do feel that they stand alone, not that they are able to stand fast.  It would be so easy to let things slide, just this once, ‘cause they aren’t nearly as big as a tank – it’s just my friend asking me to (go to the party, but Mom said no) (take just one drink, just to see how it tastes) (tell my Mom she’s spending the night, but she’s not) – pick the situation or insert one of your own.  We still do this as adults, you know.  Whatever breaks one of those two small commandments.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Just keep those two things in mind when it comes to living each day.  Doesn’t take long to think about them, does it?  When you aren’t certain how to do that, continue reading in Ephesians, learning what truly is the armor we put on to help us stand fast.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13 KJV)