Stand Firm in Faith and Believe God for Bigger Things

Sometimes life brings you into a situation where everything tells you to run. The opposition looks too strong. Your resources look too small. You begin wondering whether you have enough to make it through. But I want you to understand something: God is there. And when you know that God is there, you can stand firm in faith and believe Him for bigger things.

What Does the Bible Teach About Standing Firm in Faith?

Standing firm in faith means refusing to surrender to fear because you believe God is present and able to bring victory. Let me show you something from the Word of God.

In 2 Samuel 23:11-12, we read about a man named Shammah, one of David's mighty men of valor. The Philistines had gathered together against Israel, and the people fled.

There was a field full of lentils. Those lentils were food for the people. They had worked that ground and planted those crops for their survival.

But the Philistines came against them, and everybody started running. Everybody except Shammah.

The Bible tells us that Shammah stationed himself in the middle of that field and defended it. He refused to leave what had been entrusted to him.

And what happened? 2 Samuel 23:12 tells us that the Lord brought about a great victory.

Mark that down. The victory came from the Lord.

You may be going through something right now. The circumstances may look impossible. But I want you to remember Shammah standing in that field.

Don't allow the size of your opposition to make you forget the greatness of your God.

Why Does Knowing God Is There Change How We Face Battles?

Knowing God is there changes how we face battles because we understand that we are not standing alone. God's presence gives us a reason to trust Him even when circumstances look overwhelming.

In Ezekiel 48:35, God reveals the name of the city: Jehovah Shammah, meaning "The Lord Is There."

What a name! God is there.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, whatever circumstances you face, I want you to understand that God is there.

Look again at Shammah. The Philistines came against that field, but he stood his ground. And the Lord brought the victory.

I want you to see that connection. When you stand in faith, you are not declaring that you are stronger than the enemy. You are declaring your confidence in the God who is with you.

In Revelation 21:3, we read about God's promise to dwell with His people. God Himself will be with them.

That is the God I want you to see. Not a God you make small enough to fit your circumstances, but the great God who created the heavens and the earth.

How Can We Stop Thinking Too Small About God?

We stop thinking too small about God when we stop measuring His ability by our own limitations. We must learn to see Him as greater than anything we can accomplish by ourselves.

Let me tell you about a man who was sent to build a church in Michigan.

He began looking for a building and found a small church that could hold about fifty or sixty people. He thought that would be suitable because he was just starting out.

But then he came upon a much larger building. And he understood that this was the building God wanted him to buy.

What was his response? He started thinking about the money he didn't have.

You see what happens? God shows us something bigger, and immediately we begin measuring it against our own pockets.

Why do we do that?

We look at what we have instead of looking at who God is.

Don't compare your thinking with God's thinking. Don't bring God down to the size of your resources.

If you need ten thousand dollars, why would you tell God that one thousand will be enough simply because you are afraid to ask?

I want you to change the way you approach God. Believe Him for things bigger than yourself.

How Do We Put Faith Into Action When the Need Is Bigger Than Us?

We put faith into action by bringing our needs before God, agreeing together in prayer, and taking the necessary steps while trusting Him for the outcome.

Let me share something about our own church.

There was a time when this church property faced a serious problem. The tax-exempt status had not been properly transferred when the building was purchased, and the property was facing a tax lien and possible sheriff's sale.

I didn't even know what was happening until I discovered it.

I immediately contacted our church lawyer. He prepared letters and paperwork, and I went to the finance department in Manhattan.

At first, I was told there were procedures to follow and that I would have to wait. But I explained that the matter needed immediate attention.

Then another woman stepped forward and offered to handle it. She explained what needed to be done, and I returned with the necessary documents.

The matter was taken care of.

I share that because I believe there is a reason God has kept us in this place.

And now we are believing God for five million dollars to renovate and maintain this church. That is a big request, but we serve a great big God.

So I encourage you today: stand firm like Shammah. Don't run simply because the opposition looks greater than you.

Bring your needs to God. Trust His presence. Believe Him for bigger things.

Jehovah Shammah. The Lord Is There.