"Indeed, he will be made to stand,
for God is able to make him stand."
Romans 14:4
A minister was talking to a man about becoming a Christian. The man said, "I would really like to be a Christian, but I'm afraid that I couldn't hold out." That man simply feared that he could not stand against temptation. The minister said to him, "None of us can hold out without God's help. He is able to make us stand." The man replied, "He would have to do that for me, because I'm not able." Not that day, but later that man became a Christian. He was not only trusting Christ to save him, but he was trusting God to make him stand.
Man's inability to save himself, or make himself stand firm in Christ, is clearly stated in many verses of Scripture. When we see our inability and trust God's ability, we discover what God is able to do in us. "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God is able to make us stand.
When we consider the many temptations and trials of life, our faith may be confronted with fear. Are we able to stand the test? Really, that's not the question. Rather, this is the question. Is God able to make us stand? His grace is sufficient for our every need. In our weakness, He reveals His strength. The apostle Paul testified, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). In every trial, test and temptation, trust Him to make you stand. God is able.
Father, we need Your grace and strength to stand firm.
