Steadfast Terrain
Just when you think that God cannot get any more present and involved, there He is, speaking to you in the most peculiar of ways. I was sitting at a stop light, running on a couple hours of sleep, waiting to hear from the doctor, overwhelmed, holding back tears when I looked up and zoomed in on the license plate of the car in front of me, it said STEDFST. Through the few tears that had already clouded my eyes, I shifted my focus to the name of the vehicle. I could not believe it, Terrain, it was a GMC Terrain. I could not help but laugh a little. STEDFST Terrain. Steadfast Tahren, steadfast.
Part tears, part laughter, and in complete awe, I was baffled by God's concern for me. He always manages to insert His care in the most inconspicuous ways, at the most crucial times. At this point I just let the tears fall. No use in holding back now, I let out a full cry, you know, one of those ugly cries you never want anyone but the LORD to see but this time it was not over my situation, not because I was exhausted, not because I was burdened or overwhelmed, but because I knew He was with me. God was watching, He was with me. There is something to be said about how the Spirit of God communicates His mercy and truth to those who believe. God knew exactly what I was going through, He felt my pain and said to me, “Be steadfast Tahren.”
What does it mean to be steadfast in a time when peril seems to run rampant, when we are surrounded with trouble on every side? Merriam-Webster defines steadfast as, “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” In scripture, we find a shared meaning, the Greek word hedraios, meaning “well seated” or “solidly based” (HELPS Word Studies). To be steadfast is to be “morally fixed, firm in purpose and well-stationed.” The Apostle Paul lived this definition more than anyone despite the difficulties he faced as a follower of Christ. In Acts 20, we find Paul about to travel to a place he had been warned that He was not welcome. By all accounts it was a risky situation for Paul, he knew there was danger ahead. He could have given up or turned back but he trusted that God was leading him and was bound to his duty as a man of God. Paul loved Christ more than he hated the persecution and affliction he was due to face so, he forged ahead. In his steadfastness, he finished the race appointed him.
King David was steadfast in his faith. He was most often in a season of crisis. Trouble was never far from him but David never hesitated to take his troubles to the Lord. Despite his dilemmas, David never stopped communicating with God and he received protection, guidance, and lessons of faith in exchange for his devotion (Ps. 25:4-5).
The steadfast nature of these men is admirable, and it is also achievable. We need only keep the focus on God and His Word. David cried out, “Oh my God, I trust in You let me not be ashamed.” In this context, ashamed means “disappointed” or “let down” (Strongs). This was not only a proclamation to God but a reminder to himself that he could trust God because God had never disappointed him before (Ps. 25:2).
Sometimes, we need to be reminded of what is on the other side of our troubles, what is at the finish line of this race (Gal. 6:9). Every experience we have as believers is adorned with God's mercy and truth. When we are overcome with life's concerns, God's Word will encourage us. When we are discouraged, difficulties plaguing our lives because we choose to follow Christ, then like Paul, like David, we need only focus on God's promises and His love for us. There is no need for us to fear or be dismayed (Isa. 41:10). Despite the present trouble, He will reveal to us His mercy and his truth so that we remain steadfast and unashamed (Ps. 25:8-11). And for our devotion, God promises that we will be rewarded. So, let us keep our eyes on the prize, step off of that shaky ground and onto steadfast terrain.
