Stand Alone

"Tank Man" in Tiananmen Square, China

Have you ever stood up for something, all by yourself? Have you ever risked it all to make a stand for or against something?

Think about it? Have you ever had the guts, determination or been frustrated enough to actually act?

The guy pictured at the left did. In 1989, a column of approaching tanks was on a mission to quell some government protestors in China. He single-handedly stopped an entire group of advancing tanks. To this day, no one knows his name or whether he is alive or dead.

Rosa Parks

Have you ever heard of a lady named Rosa Parks? She was tired of segregated busses and restaurants in the south back in 1956 so she took a stand . . . or rather, she sat down. Blacks were not allowed to ride on busses unless they sat WAY in the back. Rosa didn't like that so . . .

I was listening to a sermon on my way to work Friday and Chuck Swindoll was talking about Esther. She took a stand and risked her life for the sake of her people.

^"12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, ¹³ he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish."

And then Mordecai delivered this line - a powerful statement in the form of a very pointed question.

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Wow.

Appearing before the King without being summoned was an offense punishable by death. Yet Esther was willing to take that chance for the sake of her people.

^"15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶ “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:12-16

Are we willing, are we capable of making such a stand in OUR lives? During the sermon I listened to Pastor Swindoll said this . . .

"Not until you believe that one person can make a difference, will you be willing to stand alone." - Chuck Swindoll

Are we willing? Will we be willing to stand when the time to do so is upon us? We need to have more than just an "opinion" about something. We need to take action. If we perish, we perish.

What is your stand on abortion? Gay marriage? Religious freedom?

Jesus made a stand. He stood for His Father. May we make the same stand in a world where His Father is being  removed from schools and whose followers are being tortured and killed simply for believing in Him. On this Memorial Day weekend, let us pray.

Presidential Proclamation for Memorial Day Prayer
Man vs. Chinese Tank
Esther: For Such A Time As This - John MacArthur