The apostle Paul wrote, "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power...Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, so stand." [Ephesians 6:10,13] 

He did not say *if* the day of evil comes but *when* the day of evil comes. And when it comes, we are supposed to stand.

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself said, "In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." [John 16:33]  In this lost and dying world, there will always be trouble, hardship, trials and temptations.  But we can take heart because our Lord has overcome the world. 

And who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or
sword?...No, for in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us!!! [cf. Romans 8:35,37]

1. be well-grounded in the Word of God

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." [Matthew 7:24-25]

What else can be our guide and source of strength but God's Word, which is faithful and true--even as our dear Lord is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)! The psalmist had said, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).  Similarly, if we want to find sustenance during the storm, we need to hide God's Word in our hearts.

Before the flood came, the Lord commanded Noah, "You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them" (Genesis 6:21). While the sky is clear, let us make sure we know the elementary truths of God's Word and let us take time to learn good doctrine.  When our roots are deep and when we have grown in the faith, we will not be scorched by the sun nor will we be choked by the thorns (cf. the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23, esp. vv.6-7).

2. praise and thank God

When misfortune or hardship befalls us or someone we know, perhaps one person who would almost always come to our mind is Job.  About a decade or so ago, I came across a passage that struck me and I re-visited it just now:

"{Then Job replied:}...I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God....Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.  Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance for no godless man would dare come before him!" [Job 13:3,15-16]

I had thought, "Though God slay me, yet I will hope in him!" I then decided in my heart, "Lord, no matter what comes my way, I will always praise and thank you.  I will always declare that you are good all the time, that you are perfect in all your ways, and that you have my best interest in mind."  Indeed, He is forgiving, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

From Book II of the psalms, we would read: "Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." [Psalm 42:11]

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH AS YOU WERE TAUGHT, AND OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS." [Colossians 2:6-7; emphasis mine]

3. pray

Jude, in his call to persevere, wrote, "But you dear friends, build
yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20).  Being strong in the faith and praying go together.

As the apostle Paul exhorted, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 4:6-7]

Even the psalms abound with prayers offered because of need or
distress:

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.  Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer." [Psalm 4:1]

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." [Psalm 5:1-2]

"Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?" [Psalm 6:2-3]

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." [Psalm 61:1-2]

"Hasten, O God, to save; O Lord, come quickly to help me." [Psalm 70:1]

"But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.  For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.  I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.  My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt." [Psalm 109:21-24]

Through prayer, we declare that God is control and we show our trust in Him.  Truly, "without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"       (Hebrews 11:6).

4. build strong friendships with other believers

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." [Ecclesiastes 4:10-12]

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." [Galatians 6:2] As one popular song goes, 

The apostle Paul knew the value of encouragement from others. At one time he wrote, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:11-12). He had also said, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 

The writer of Hebrews concurs with the apostle Paul: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." [10:23-25]

Lastly, if bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33), good company ought to enhance it. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).


To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. [Jude 24-25]

                                         Oscar N.  Ragus