Yes, You Can Ministry

Stand and Run

“But, being full of the Holy Spirit he gazed intently into heavens, and saw the glory of God; and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” – Acts 7:55

We always hear about Jesus seated on His throne of grace at the right hand of God; Jesus completed the work that God had for Him, and now He sits interceding for the saints of God. However, there are a few times in Scripture where Jesus is not seated at the right hand. There are times when Jesus must stand, and even walk or run because His children need Him by their side to protect them. I have heard, and I believe that there is validity to this saying, that Jesus stood beside God at the martyrdom of Stephen for two reasons. Number one, he stood up to give Stephen the Standing Ovation that he deserved. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” By standing firm against the Jewish council and not backing down in the face of opposition Stephen was found pleasing to God, and the Lord rewarded his faithfulness by standing to applaud Him. The second reason why I think Jesus stood up beside the Father, was so that He could welcome him home with open arms.

One of my favorite stories from the Bible (like I’ve said before I have a lot of favorites) also shows Jesus standing. In Daniel chapter 3 after Nebuchadnezzar threw the Hebrew children into the furnace this is what the Bible says in verse 25, “And he(Nebuchadnezzar) answered and said, ‘Look, I see four me loosed and walking in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth man is like a son of the gods.” Praise GOD!!!!!!!!!!Jesus was standing right beside the Hebrew children when they were in the middle of the fire, and He will be right beside you in whatever “fire” you go through.

We can also see in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son that God not only stands to welcome us home, or beside us in the fire; but He also runs to us when we have drifted from Him. In Luke chapter 15 Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. He tells how the prodigal son demanded his share of the inheritance from his father, and took his riches to squander them in an unholy lifestyle, which is representative of us. But, finally the prodigal son realized his mistake and went back to his father. Listen, understand, the words in Luke 15:20, “…But, while he(the son) was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.” Praise GOD! Even though the son, when he left had basically told his father I wish you were dead; so I could get my inheritance now, and then he wasted that inheritance on unrighteous living the father still ran, and hugged him, and kissed him.

God out of His love for us stands to honor us when we honor Him, and He walks beside us in the fires of life; but He runs to us when we realize that we are lost without Him and return. There is one final stand of Jesus that I want to look at. Jesus just before the battle of Armageddon He will stand with the saints on Mt. Zion, and Satan will be defeated forever, and we will reign with Him for eternity. (Revelation 14:1)

Father, I thank you for standing for me when I need your comfort, support and strength; I ask that You would help me to always stand strong for you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen