Standing firm!

January 1879. A dusty oupost in a lonely, unknown part of southern Africa destined to become immortalised in the annals of military history. Men of the British Imperial Army, the 24th Regiment of Foot, fought for their lives against overwhelming odds as warriors of the Zulu army hurled themselves repeatedly against hastily constructed barricades and the thin red line of British pride. With nowhere to run, surrounded and desperate, they fought through the night...for their lives...for each other...for Empire. Modern weapons, training and discipline saw them through. They stood firm!

• How often in life, having done all, are we required to stand firm?
• When circumstances threaten to overwhelm us...when there is no escape...when we have exhausted all options....what is there left to do? What will carry us through to victory? Who do we look to as our leader and inspiration?
• Just as the foundations of training and discipline of the few were tested repeatedly and severely through that long terrifying night, how strong are our foundations when the storms rage around us? What/who do we place our trust and faith in?
• The "battles" of life test our character and values and it is when all is "stripped away" that our true self, our true values are tested. Will we stand up to the test...are our values solid and enduring and securely rooted? Do we know what our values are?
• Do we have a higher purpose undergirding our living?

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (Ephesians 6)