Stand Firm

The majestic redwood trees along the California coast and southern Oregon are impressive. Their monumental size and number are glorious when viewed from the ground up. For example, the world’s tallest known living tree, Hyperion in California, comes in at about 380.3 ft (115.92 m). Another impressive fact is that the oldest living coast, redwood is at least 2,200 years old by some estimates.

These trees are also highly resistant to insects, fire, and rot. In addition, various animals, and species nest in these trees for protection. However, redwood trees don’t live long due to their usefulness, size, and resiliency. They stand the test of time due to one crucial fact.

Although the redwood roots are very shallow, often only five or six feet deep, what they lack in depth, they make up for in length, as their roots sometimes extend up to 100 feet from the trunk. As a result, these roots will intertwine and “fuse” with other redwoods nearby.

As a result, these groves form “communities” of redwoods that provide one another a collective strength and resiliency to potential and destructive forces. In addition, this community also “feeds” one another as they can make rain out of the fog! The moisture in the air condenses between the leaves and eventually drips down to the root zone.

The unique creation of God is an excellent reminder of how we, too, can grow, draw strength, and feed each other when in community with fellow believers. God calls us to be in a community because He gifts us individually to share those gifts collectively. For this reason, you should be in a small group or in constant fellowship with other men.

It’s the only way you will stand firm against the forces coming against you.

Take note of today’s verse breakdown. The Greek term for “faith” here is pisitis and it refers to Christian truth. It is the moral conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, of our reliance upon Christ for salvation (Gospel) and full confidence in truth itself, God’s word. The term stand firm here in the Greek isstēkō - which translates to stand firm, to persevere, to persist, to stand one's ground. Not surprisingly it was more related to a military term for holding one's position when facing the enemy.

Pray

Pray to find fellowship with other men or how you can help strengthen your fellow brothers.

Meditate

What steps are you taking to help you stand firm when the storms and attacks come?