Stand On It Part 1: Power of Prophetic Posture

Posture: A. The position of the body in movement or at rest.  B. A mental or spiritual attitude.

Scripture uses the term “upright” dozens of times, particularly in the Psalms. 

“For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”  – Psalms 11:7 NKJV

Upright isn’t uptight. It’s walking in righteousness, not self-righteousness.

Righteousness is a word hijacked by legalism. It means “things working as they should.” An upright person walks in the wholeness God intended or right standing. 

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in His law he meditates day and night. – Psalms 1:1-2

WALKING 

Walking is how you intentionally live and progress

“The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.” – 1 John 2:6 

“Walking with God doesn’t lead to God’s favor; God’s favor leads to walking with God.” 

– Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor and Author

(Billy Graham’s grandson)

“Don’t worry. God has gone before you and prepared the way. Just keep walking.”  – Unknown

“We want more men and women who walk with God and before God, like Enoch and Abraham.”  – Bishop J.C. Ryle

“Smart men walked on the moon. Daring men walked on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God.”  – Leonard Ravenhill, Evangelist

STANDING 

Standing has to do with loyalty, what you believe and who you will stand for and stand with. 

By standing, I mean a state of mind from which we are free from doubt. Allegiance. Assurance. Certainty. Certitude. Commitment. Confidence. Decisiveness. Fidelity. Firmness. Fortitude. Grit. Loyalty. Persistence. Steadfast resolve. Tenacity. Trust. Faith.

The opposite of standing would be things like backing down. Doubting. Faltering. Hesitating. Indecision. Skepticism. Suspicion. Unbelief. Uncertainty. Vacillating. Wavering. Falling out. 

“I can’t stand it!”

SITTING 

Is the finished place where you are firmly established and your trial is over; now you rule and reign in the place you sit. 

“Be still and know that I am God,”  – Psalms 46:10

 …and raised us up with him and seated us  with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:6

 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God – Colossians 3:1

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is always seen as sitting, except in the book of Revelation where is dealing with the church and trying to get them to progress in Him. That is where He says He is “the One who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.” 

Jesus is standing for Stephen in Acts chapter 7:

55 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. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” – Acts 7:55-56

In the book of Ephesians chapter six it says…

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (STAND FIRM) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– Ephesians 6:10-18

WHEN YOU STAND IN THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, THE DEVIL CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD ALMIGHTY. YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HIM BECAUSE YOU ARE WEARING HIS ARMOR AND IT FITS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!

When you stand, you are determined that everything is going to land on the place you are standing. 

“Now I’m making a stand! This is how this is going to go. This is the outcome I am fighting for. This is the narrative I will speak and this is why. I am fighting for the direction this thing is going and its destination is right here.” 

If you STAND for children. 

…FOR KING AND KINGDOM 

…For your family 

….For your nation

I will defend this territory and I will not be moved. You shall not pass!

The situation on the ground is usually very intense and often results in severe casualties for the defending force. 

This can take many forms, including holding an advantageous position or just persisting and not giving in to the enemy. In combat situations, the stand is usually employed in times of distress when there is no other tactic to save the day. 

It is best used when the defending force has no option to surrender to the attacking force.

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.– Romans 12:2

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. – James 4:10

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS 

24 And he said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

You’ve got to hang on hard. You’ve got to hold fast.

Even if this is my last stand, God can count on me to stand. 

The Alamo, Israel’s Masaba, Thermopylae.