Who Can Stand?

Who Can Stand?

A question is repeated several times in the Old Testament, and though it receives no direct answer, it is a worthy question to consider.

Those carrying the Ark of the Lord, fearful of death after God killed seventy men because they looked into the Ark, cried out, “Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20). David asked, “Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:3). Malachi asked the same question this way, “Who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears?” (Malachi 3:2).

The Old Testament writers rightly asked the question, “Who can stand before a holy God?” Finally there is an answer to the question. Jesus made it possible for sinners to stand before God. In fact, Jesus’ sacrifice not only makes it possible for us to stand before God when we are united with him, but because of what Jesus has done for us, nothing and no one can effectively stand against us.

Paul asked the question, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31). In giving us Jesus, God showed us that he is not against us; he is for us! Paul continued,

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

On our own, we could never dare to stand before the withering judgment of the holy God. But Jesus has satisfied God’s justice, and now he advocates for us so that we need not fear.

So when we hear Malachi ask the question, “Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears?” we can answer, “I will be able to stand and face him. But not because of anything I am or anything I’ve done. Only because Jesus is mine and I am his.”

Jesus, you have brought me into this place of undeserved privilege where I can stand, not cowering in fear of judgment, but confident and joyful in anticipation of sharing God’s glory.