Message summary: We are in the midst of a great spiritual contest and God's call is that we actively stand our ground.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering" (Hebrews 10:32). "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:13). "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Here in the USA there's a lot of football this time of year with college bowl games and the professional postseason. From Saturday afternoon through the last game this evening there are six "wild card" games and yes I have watched them and plan to watch the game tonight. (Actually I also watched the Indiana game on Friday night!)

Of course this is a subject that will not "connect" to everyone, including many who live here in the USA, let alone other countries, so I'll keep the illustrative portion of this message brief.

Consider the goal line stand. There was a great one by New England in last night's game. You're on the defense and the opposing team has the ball on the one yard line with 1st and goal. You are a lineman and your job is to keep the opposing team from moving the ball that one yard, although they have four opportunities to do so. You must stand your ground!

Standing your ground is an important posture or position to take when staying faithful to any cause important to your heart. But it's of utmost importance that we stand our ground in the greatest contest of all. Using football as an illustration may have a sense of trivializing the very real contest in which we battle, but my intent is only illustrative.

Today so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are standing their ground against tremendous opposition in this great lifelong contest.

The first daily text is a commendation of the first century Hebrew believers who had stood their ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. The Greek word translated "contest" is "athlasis", which is a root of the English word athlete. All we who follow Christ are involved in this great athletic contest. The Apostle Paul calls it "The Race" (2 Timothy 4:7). Some approach this contest in a passive sense, as if we are just standing on the sidelines as spectators.

But others rightly recognize that we are in the midst of this great spiritual battle with God's call to actively stand our ground. The apostle Paul alluded to this stand when he commissioned followers of Christ to, "Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:13).

The early believers to whom the book of Hebrews was addressed were enduring persecution because of their uncompromising stand for truth. They stood their ground even in the face of tremendous suffering and this is also the current experience of many around the world. In preparing this message from the comfort of our home we feel so far, far removed from their plight.

May God help each of us to remember them in prayer as they stand firm in the midst of the great conflict. The more we pray for these devoted believers the more we become spiritually sensitive to the needs that may arise in such a horrendous setting. These brothers and sisters are dependent on the prayers of intercessors in the faith.

We ask the Lord to empower each of us with grace to stand our ground in regard to the particular issues we deal with today and in 2026. Earnest believers, l invite you to join us as we stand our ground regarding faithfulness to apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42, Jude 3) and Biblical standards of morality (Galatians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:2-4).

The Bible speaks of a great falling away that will occur in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Are we seeing that before our very eyes? Whatever happens, stand your ground; for if you don't stand you'll surely fall into the hands of our archenemy! There's much truth in the saying, "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13