A Word Revealed
For several years now, I have prayed for the Lord to reveal to me my word for the year. This year as I prayed for the Lord to give me my word for the year and the verse to go with it, the word stand kept coming to my attention. I confess that I was a little uncomfortable when I began to suspect it was Him revealing this as my word for the year. In fact, I was actually rather nervous! I kept thinking to myself, “If He is giving me the word stand, it’s because I will need to stand!” However, not only did the word keep coming but a verse began to appear as well.
First Corinthians 16:13 began showing up in my studies and each time it did, I felt that flutter in my spirit. Since I couldn’t shake what I was STRONGLY suspecting to be my word and verse for the year, I asked God to confirm it. I felt like Gideon asking for confirmation (Judges 6), but if this was indeed my word and verse, then I wanted to KNOW it was from Him. A short while after praying for confirmation, my sweet friend Mary sent me a video to watch. The video was a challenge to women to stand up and fight for their families.
My heart skipped a beat when that word stand started leaping out at me. I stopped then and there and wrote down my word and verse. A few days later, my friend Debbie gave my daughter and I some jewelry. Would you believe me if I told you that I reached into the jewelry and pulled out a bracelet that had nothing on it except… 1 Corinthians 16:13-14? In amazement, I slipped it on my arm where it has been since that moment. What are the odds that she would give me a bracelet with the very verse that God had given me on it?
By this time, I knew without a doubt that God was making certain I knew that my word was stand and my verses were 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. However, a few days later, I opened a devotional I had picked up at my church and there were my verses at the top of the devotion followed by how we could do what the verses said. After highlighting and starring the whole thing, I paused to thank God for being patient and kind enough to clarify and verify what He was saying to me. He has used other things as well, but I think you get the picture by now.
God has made it clear that my word for the year of 2024 is stand, and my verses that go with it are 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, which I will now share with you. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” I have now spent the last two weeks studying the word stand and these verses. I am going to be honest with you and tell you that this study has not alleviated the anxiety I felt at being given this word. In fact, it has at times caused them to increase because no matter how you look at it, this word is a challenge.
Just a casual reading of the verses gives you an idea that this word is a challenge. To be perfectly honest, I would have preferred a different word. Wasn’t hope or blessed available? There are certainly easier words out there! Nevertheless, He gave me this word for a reason, and I choose to accept it and do my best to better understand it and put it into practice. As I said, I have since spent significant time trying to learn all I can about what it means to stand and how this applies to the believer’s life. I am also trying to learn all I can about my verses from Corinthians.
I know this has been quite an introduction, however, if you would care to join me, this is the first of what I hope to be several studies/notes/lessons that I will be sharing about this. As much as it scares me, I believe He gave me this word and verses for a reason. I believe with all of my heart that we are living in the last minutes of the last days. Please forgive me for saying this, but I must speak Truth. I think this year may be a difficult one that will require believers to “stand firm in the faith”. Therefore, I plan to learn all I can about what this means.
I hope you will come along for the ride with me, precious friend! Let’s start by taking a look at how Strong’s Greek Dictionary defines the word strong used in 1 Cor. 16:13. It means “to be stationary; to persevere- stand fast”. My brain translates this as, “to be immovable; to press through and not quit; to refuse to back down”. (Can you see why this word made me anxious?!) My first more in depth look at the word brought to mind the idea of someone holding on to Truth and refusing to back down or compromise.
It made me think of a soldier standing firm at their post, refusing to quit, no matter what the enemy throws their way. It also brought to mind one who just simply could not be moved; their faith could not be shaken because it was so firmly rooted in the Rock who is their Firm Foundation. I would love to tell you that all of this encouraged me, but I do my best to be honest and transparent with you, my friends. The more I studied, the more I felt apprehensive about why I had been given this word for the year ahead.
Thankfully, while my anxieties were building, God reminded me of what I already knew to be true. I can do absolutely nothing apart from Him (John 15:5). Furthermore, He will help me to do anything and everything He calls me to do for Him (see Phil. 4:13 in the Amplified Bible!), so I don’t have to worry about “how” I will be able to do it. He will help me. When the time comes for me to “stand”, He will be there like He always has, ready to help His child. When I keep this in mind, my heart is calmed, and my anxieties flee (See Isaiah 26:3).
This entire story thus far has been about a word, and it is only fitting that we remind ourselves that the only way any believer can stand is if they are in The Word. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17. One cannot stand unless they have the faith and courage to do so. For the believer’s faith to grow, they must be in the Word of God. Realizing this, I am being even more diligent to get in His Word and get His Word in me. I know the only way I will be able to stand is to be immersed in His Word.
I cannot stand on Truth if I do not know it. I cannot “stand firm in the faith” if I do not have a strong faith. If I want my faith to grow, I must increase my exposure to the Word of God. Before I talk about what it means to “stand”, I have to get this part right. I have to start my study of my word by emphasizing the important role His Word must play in the lives of all who wish to stand firm in their faith in the year ahead. Beloved, we have got to get in His Word like never before. I cannot adequately express how strongly I feel and believe this!
In closing, I would like to end our introduction into my word for the year by challenging us all to get into His Word like never before. Read it. Study it. Listen to it. And by all means, apply it to your life. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” James 1:22. Ask God to help you hide His Word in your heart and use it to guide you, dear heart. This world is getting darker by the day, and we need the light His Word provides. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105.
Beloved, let His Word become a Light that you cling to so that you can keep standing firm as you walk through the darkness. Until next time, may we both choose to get in His Word and hold tightly to His hand trusting Him to help us stand.
Katrina Douglas
