Stand Fast by David Downer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1871

Stand Fast.

By David Downer

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Cor. 16:13.

The first thing brought to view in the above passage, is the necessity of being watchful. We have but to look around us to behold the terrible inroads that Satan has been successful in making among us, and to see the importance of our being more watchful in the future. Satan having had nearly six thousand years experience will be likely to win in the game of life unless we take heed to the text, and constantly watch.

Many of the professed people of God are resting in carnal slumber. They fail to watch, and are taken captive by Satan at his will. They allow the enemy to enter the ranks, and undisturbed sow the seeds of sin and discord. And when awakened from their stupor by hearing the watchmen giving the trumpet the certain sound, Eze. 33:3-5, they too often complain of weakness which is caused by inactivity, and like the drunkard who is under the influence of liquor, become unqualified for business.

So we too often become idolaters by covetousness, loving the things of this world. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. God wants men, strong men, watchful men; men who will faithfully watch through the storm, as well as sunshine.

Watch ye, be door-keepers of your own hearts. Watch lest Satan steal the key, and you be taken captive at his will. Watch your tongue. Words should be weighed. If spoken in a proper manner, they are like apples of gold in pictures of silver. If spoken harshly, they are like porcupine quills. After having escaped, they can never be recovered; and when next heard from, they will be doing mischief. You may extract the quill, but it leaves a sore. Heal the sore, and it leaves a scar. Then let us choose our words with care. We judge the heart by the words. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matt. 12:34.

Watch ye. Other men's failures are light-houses for us to sail round while crossing probation's sea. Watch; for we are almost to the shore. But we are in the most dangerous part of the voyage. God wants strong men now to make the last terrible struggle to gain the city.

Brethren, grasp a little more tightly the oar, and let us prepare for the coming storm, so soon to break upon us. We can discern the face of the sky, but can we not discern the signs of the times? Matt. 16:3. Yes, brethren, we can if we will watch. See the photograph given by Paul of the last days: This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. He then enumerates eighteen sins without one good trait of character. We must watch that we be not partakers of their sins. What is our duty? Let the priests and ministers weep between the porch and the altar, and say, Spare Thy people. Why do this? Alas! for the day of the Lord is at hand. As a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Joel 1:15.

Stand fast in the faith; not a faith, stand fast like the oak on the mountain. Oh! that we could have more men to stand fast in the faith, more Daniels, more men like Isaac, to willingly lay themselves upon the altar, men like the three captives that would not bow down to other gods.

Quit you like men. Cease sinning, transgressing law. Paul says, Cleanse yourselves. Can we do it and smoke or chew? Never.

Have resolution. Christians cannot stand without it. Don't be strong like Nimrod in yourselves, or trusting in self; but be strong in God and the power of his might.

Be strong. How can we become strong? By exercising. See the village blacksmith. His right arm is strong. Why? Because the smooth face of the anvil is proof that that arm is constantly wielding the hammer. So with us; we grow strong by exercise. Trials strengthen us. They are God's fanning-mill to blow away the chaff that he may have the wheat to gather into his garner. This world is God's workshop to fit us for a place in the temple. It is his drilling ground to discipline an army for his kingdom, to test the faithful soldiers and prepare them for promotion. Soon we shall stand victorious in the fight; and then with you the writer hopes to unite in singing the song of victory.

DAVID DOWNER.