The turmoil in the Mideast is reaching a pressure level that is surely going to cause a shift in the earth’s crust. With 100,000 dead in Syria and one million children and adults living in make-shift refugee camps along the Syrian – Turkey, Jordanian, Iraqi and Lebanon borders, something may give and create a geo-political earthquake.

The potential earthquake, centered in Syria, may produce catastrophic damage in nearby Israel and other countries as foolishness abounds. This is a physical reality.

There are spiritual earthquakes that may rumble through our lives as well.  Sometimes the knees shake and crumble to sin. Sometimes the hands fall limp to despair  and worry. Sometimes the back droops round-shouldered to the strain and distractions of life.  But God exhorts us, “Be strong and courageous, for I am your God.”  God proved Himself to David, Solomon, Asa and to Jehoshaphat and He will show Himself sufficient and strong to you!  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).  God delights in showing His power and presence to those who trust Him!  Jehoshaphat reaped God’s blessing as the “fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.” (2 Chronicles 17:10)

How is your stand for the Lord?  How are you doing in building for His kingdom?  We often are more concerned about our own kingdom.  I’m an expert for what I think should be done on in the Kingdom of Bryan.  I know how I want my wife to act and people of our church to act, let alone the people of the US!  But I don’t always know how God’s people in the Kingdom of God are going to act and that makes life interesting!

When you live in the Kingdom of God, rather than the Kingdom of (your name), you need to have a strong stand.  What should you do?  First, strengthen your walk in the Lord by knowing well His Word and who God is,

And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. (2 Chron. 17:2 NKJ)

Secondly, disciple people to God’s holiness with His Word, because you’ll learn how to be strong and you’ll have faithfully strong friends around you to support you in tough times,

Also in the third year of his reign he (Jehoshaphat) sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. (2 Ch. 17:7 NKJ)

Thirdly, trust God to deal with others, when they don’t act like they should in your kingdom, because they may be in God’s kingdom,

¹⁰ And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. ¹¹ Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. ¹² So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. (2 Ch. 17:10-12 NKJ)

And fourthly, prepare yourself continually, because when you’re not preparing, you’ll be despairing,

¹⁷ Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield; ¹⁸ and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war. ¹⁹ These served the king, besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. (2 Ch. 17:17-19 NKJ)

Sometimes it can seem overwhelming, this stand in the Lord, but God is there to raise you up and cause you to stand strong.  It ultimately hinges on your relationship with God.  If your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is a strong weld, you’ll stand through any earthquake (temptation and test).  If you falter and get frustrated (shown by words or actions that don’t mirror God’s righteousness), then there’s room to grow (beginning with confession of sin).  God is great!  He is awesome!  What a privilege to be a son of the living God!