“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights” (2 Samuel 22:34).

Since beginning this series on “posture” three weeks ago, I have become intrigued with the concept of “standing.” Just like “kneeling” conveys submission and “sitting” conveys community, “standing” conveys steadfastness and power. Who is standing when others fall? There are so many situations in which we are to stand. We stand trial. We withstand the tests of time. We stand in line, stand in for others. I loved the old song, “Standing on the Promises.”

For a person who is well-known and respected, we say they have “standing” in the community. That means they are someone to be listened to and followed. “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz” Ruth 2:1).

Standing firm is an emphatic positioning meaning (literally and/or figuratively) “I’m not going anywhere.” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (Exodus 14:13). Nashville Rescue Mission is standing firm in its physical location in Nashville, and in its stance on the Gospel. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

We stand in reverence. “Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up” (Nehemiah 8:5). “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds Lord” (Habakkuk 3:2a).

To stand in a setting can imply a place of honor and responsibility.
“At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today” (Deuteronomy 10:8).

It can also imply strength. “No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go” (Deuteronomy 11:25).

Standing does not convey lack of humility or community; in fact, it implies both of those things. One of the most inspiring scriptures in the Bible is in the passage in which Stephen is being stoned to death. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Remember that after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. The visual of this scripture, seeing Jesus stand to recognize the complete giving over of Stephen’s life to follow Jesus, Stephen’s willingness to die for Jesus, fills my heart. Jesus is not submitting to Stephen in any way, but he is standing in recognition and welcome to his brother.

There are so many examples of God giving us a place to stand. “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2).

So many examples of where God calls us to stand up. “l stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts” (Habakkuk 2:1).

Most of all, we stand in hope, in the confident promise of our LORD and Savior. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:12-14).

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).

In Christ,

Judy