Unshakable and Immovable

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in Jesus' Name! I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall the Lord has blessed us with!

This month, I wanted to share some insight from a few passages of Scripture that have been a rock to me over the past few months. As this year has progressed and is now coming to a close, it seems that we have encountered many people in our sphere of influence who have faced challenges during the past several months. We ourselves are not exempt, and have also faced our own set of obstacles to overcome during the past year. In fact, I told Pastor Jeff that this might just have been one of our most challenging years ever!

Psalm 34:19 declares that, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." The New Living translations states it this way, "The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time." We as Christians are not exempt from trials, troubles, and adversity. However, we have the blessed hope that God is on our side, fighting for us, and will walk us through the midst of the battle on to the place of victory. If we will keep walking with the Lord through the trial, never giving up, we will soon find that we have made our way through it and come out stronger and triumphantly on the other side.

One thing I have learned and am growing strong in is to not be moved or shaken in the face of adversity. I was one who grew up hearing the faith message and knew all about it in my head, but did not really walk in it. In the past, when a challenge would arise, I would let my natural emotions and reactions dominate, instead of having a strong persuasion on the inside that God would come through for me. However, as I have grown in my walk with the Lord, I praise Him that I have come to a place where I can say with the psalmist, "I WILL NOT BE MOVED!"

What does it mean to not be moved? I believe it means that in the very face of an adverse report or a trial, we bear up with strength on the inside and stand strong, declaring the Word of God. It is a mind-set that God wants us all to live by-not being weak and swayed with every wind of adversity like those in the world; but being tough, bold, and confident because of who we are in Jesus Christ. We can walk in this attitude because of the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside of us.

Paul said in Ephesians 6: 13-14, "...and having done all, to stand; stand therefore..." In this passage, he was referring to a common military phrase which meant, "having conquered all, stand ready to do battle again." In other words, even after you have achieved the victory, don't sit and gloat! Stand back up and be ready to conquer once more!

Here is another verse I love: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) The Greek word for steadfastness means to be seated, settled, and firm in the truth of the resurrection and of victory in Christ.

Here are a few more passages of Scripture to meditate on:

Psalm 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
Psalm 55:22, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 62:2, "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."

I pray that you, too, are growing in your firm resolve to be immovable and unshakable!

You are loved,
Pastor Rebecca