Standing in an Even Place

Psalm 26:12

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Where should I stand on a certain position or action that demands my attention? This is the question that many face in their lives. We often wonder whether to take a stand in a current battle, and sometimes we are unsure what to do and where to stand.

The psalmist said, My foot standeth in an even place… This statement tells us where we ought to stand. God says we are to stand in an even place. Now, what does it mean to stand in an even place? It means we are to stand in a consistent place, unchanging place, and unwavering place. Any place that is not consistent is not an even place. Any place that is changing is not an even place. Any place that is wavering is not an even place. God wants consistency in our lives in all that we do. We ought to be consistent in our beliefs, actions, and spirit. So, how do we determine what is an even place? Let me share five things I do to help me determine if it is an even place.

First, I look at what those in the past have done. The past is a wonderful teacher to show us what is the right thing to do. Those in the past have already gone to Heaven, and they have no axes to grind with the present. Therefore, I look at what they have done, and I determine the even place by the positions that those in the past took.

Second, I look at the principles of God’s Word. God's Word is an unchanging Word. Therefore, I would be wise to see what God's Word tells me to do and realize that it does not change with culture or with the modern trends of our day. Too many are looking at what is popular and modern to determine where to stand and what to do when we are to stand in an even place, we are to look to God's unchanging Word, and we will find where we are to stand and what we are to do.

Third, I look at where I once stood. I have found that the young me is often what the older me should be. The younger me had zeal, and often took stands that were unpopular. I look at where I once stood and tell myself that if it was right back then, it is still right today. The younger me can show me the even place I need to stand today.

Fourth, I look at what I have done in the past. One thing my pastor taught me years ago was that what I have done in the past can help me to determine what I need to do in the present. What I have done for one, I must do for all. This principle applies to dealing with people as well as with positional stands. We must be careful not to change for the sake of appeasing a friend. I would rather stand alone and be right than to stand with my friends and be wrong.

Fifth, I DO NOT allow the present to dictate where I stand. You will never stand for what is right if you let the present situations dictate what you do. One reason I go to the past is because the present puts pressure on me to change; therefore, I run to the unchanging past that puts no pressure on me to determine what I must do in times of pressure. Many have changed what they are and who they stand with because of the pressure of the crowd and of society. Never allow the present to pressure you into changing. Standing in an even place means I will not allow the bullies to pressure me into changing what I do and believe from God's Word.