This week we’re looking at Daniel 11:32. 

In the second century B.C. the murderous Antiochus IV was wreaking havoc. He was persecuting God’s people and even set up pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. 

In response, a group of people resisted and remained true: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Despite the passage of time, their attitude and approach to the situation continues to be instructive for us today as we live through our own brand of uncertainty.

Today we look at their second action: they stood firm.

This isn’t about our boots. It’s about being resolute in our faith and life, especially when things get difficult. It’s easy to “stand firm” when everything is happy and nice, but it can be difficult when the proverbial winds start to blow.

While reading a book a few years ago I came across a description of some ancient coins. They depicted individuals carrying other people on their backs or children in their arms. They were acting nobly, often fleeing from danger and helping others in the process. In one of them, someone was carrying an elderly man while fleeing the burning city of Troy.

This is a helpful image for us about what it means to “stand firm.” We keep our commitments to God and to the people around us no matter what, even when the world seems to be burning down.

When you start to think about it, this is a consistent attitude throughout the Bible. Isaiah stood firm. Esther stood firm. Jesus stood firm. Mary stood firm. Paul stood firm.

And so can you. 

The people who know their God shall stand firm.

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Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.