Stand Upon the Word
Joseph stood upon the word of God. His own brothers hated, rejected, and conspired against him for it (Gen. 37). Joseph then went through many years of pain, suffering, isolation, and even false imprisonment because of it. But despite the cost, he still continued to stand upon the word, the will, and the promises of almighty God.
Jesus stood upon the word of God. His own brothers also rejected Him and His message as well; at one point even coming with their mother to get Him so as to silence His spreading of the word which God had given Him (Jn. 7:1-5; Mk. 3:21, 31-35). But despite the cost, He still continued to take his stand upon the word, the will, and the promises of almighty God as well.
In like manner, the Apostle Paul also took his stand upon the word of God, from the very moment of his baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of his sins to his last breath. His own ethnic and religious “brothers” so hated and rejected Him for it that they soon sought to take his life (Acts 9:1-24) – a process which would last years into the future and cause him unparalleled pain, suffering, rejection, and isolation (Acts 13:44-48, etc.).
Now, this is nothing new, nor should it ever come as a surprise to anyone who has chosen to stand upon the word of God alone, when it does. Jesus said it would (Mt. 10:27-39; Lk. 6:21-23; Jn. 15:18-25). It’s just part of the process; it just “goes with the territory” as it were. Just ask Joseph, Jesus, and/or Paul amongst others.
However, there’s another, far greater, and infinitely far more important and encouraging portion of this process which sadly, seldom gets mentioned in the same vein; and that is this: Whenever one takes their stand on the word of God alone, no matter how alone others may seek to leave them or subsequently make them feel, they are never alone – because God won’t allow those who have thus put their trust in Him and His word, to be alone without Him. Joseph wasn’t (Gen. 39:1-3, 20-23). Jesus wasn’t (Jn 16:32). Neither was Paul (2 Tim. 4:16-18). Nor will they ever be (Heb. 10:22, 39-40, 7:25; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). In fact, not only will such folks never be alone and without God, oftentimes “after [they] have suffered a while” (1 Ptr. 5:10), He has also been known to bring about circumstances whereby those who had initially rejected them for their stand on His word, were eventually brought around to rethink, reassess, and be reunited with/to them. Joseph’s brothers were (Gen 42-45). Jesus’ brothers were (Acts 1:14). And we have to hope that many of the Apostle Paul’s ethnic and former religious “brethren” were as well (at least, this was his earnest hope, prayer, and purpose – Rom. 9:1-5, 10:1).
This new year, let us all either determine, or re-determine, to continue to: stay the course, keep the faith, and stand on God’s word alone, no matter the cost or consequences. Let us do so for the sake of God, our own souls, and for the sake of others’ souls as well who need the light of our continued commitment to see and/or return to.