Stand Up for Jesus

The story behind “Stand Up for Jesus” reminds us to stand firm in spiritual battles. Ephesians 6 calls us to wear God’s armor and fight in His strength.

“Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”—Ephesians 6:14 NASB

Dudley Tyng was on fire for God. At only 29 years old, he was a powerful voice in a revival that broke out in Philadelphia. Crowds flocked to his noonday services. Of the 5,000 who attended on March 30, 1858, more than 1,000 committed their lives to Jesus.

Just a few days later, his arm was caught in farm machinery and had to be amputated. Other ministers rushed to his side as he was dying from his injury. With his last words, he urged them, “Tell the people to stand up for Jesus.”

One of those ministers, George Duffield, was so moved that he wrote a poem inspired by Tyng’s dying words. Soon the poem was transformed into the widely sung hymn, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.”

Duffield called for believers to be “soldiers of the cross,” not to back down, but to “stand up for Jesus.” Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness. Our foes are “unnumbered,” but we must enter the “mighty conflict.” We cannot fight on our own, for “the arm of flesh will fail.” We must “stand in His strength alone.”

Today, recognize that you’re involved in a spiritual war. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy or deprive you of victory. Put on the whole armor of God. Be committed to prayer. Stand firm for Jesus! You are a soldier of the cross.

Reflection Question: How can you stand firm for Jesus in your daily life?