Tenacity to Stand; Strength to be Still; The Praises of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Some of you may have seen a meme which points out that in 1944 eighteen year olds were storming the beaches of Normandy; but today, 18 year olds need safe zones to protect their fragile emotions because offensive words hurt their feelings. It is an interesting observation of our culture. We know that there is no such thing as “fair”, and that although we try to make the playing field level, we cannot make the outcome “fair”. Outcomes are the direct result of what one puts into a situation. Truly life is not fair, we are born into a world of chaos controlled by the devil. The younger generations suffer from parents who wanted to placate to their child’s emotions. Instead of parents teaching children to fight and be strong in life, we have allowed people to cry and complain until someone makes it better. But that is not how we win spiritual battles. We cannot petition the devil to make life “fair”. We can’t petition Yahweh to make life “fair” either, as he suffered the most unfair burden of carrying all of our sins to the cross. If we are spiritually bullied we have to learn to stand our ground.

There is strength in stillness. There is strength in a foundation built on Yahweh’s might. There is strength in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If we run, if we hide, if we panic and change directions, we will be pursued by evil spiritual beings. But if we suit up and stand, they cannot harm us. Imagine Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Dan 3. With a furnace fire built to destroy them, the men who threw them into the fire were burned up. But these men did not bow, they stood still and the fire did not consume them. They even walked around inside the fire with the angel of the Lord, and yet not one of their hairs was burnt. According to the Book of Jasher, the same thing happened to Abraham when Nimrod threw him into a fire to destroy him. Standing takes courage, but we can have courage because of the spiritual might of the Lord.

When we are empowered in the Lord, we can be tenacious. Tenacity is a developed trait and usually older adults are far more tenacious as compared to younger adults. While tenacity can seem like stubbornness, it is a persistent state of being established. Imagine simply standing firm in the middle of a tornado (I’m not suggesting that, I’m just invoking some imagery here). We can stand in the midst of any spiritual battle, empowered by the Lord. Once we learn to become tenacious, we will respond to spiritual pressure differently.

te·na·cious : adjective

1. holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.

2. highly retentive: a tenacious memory.

3. pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.

4. adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.

5. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

Tenacious: not easily pulled apart : cohesive : persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired

How do we become spiritually tenacious? We start by being empowered in the Lord and in the might of His strength. These three words are all similar words, meaning strength. Paul using three words with similar meaning is a style of writing intended to enforce his point. Paul is making a robust point here.

Ephesians 6:10G3588For the G3062rest, G80my brethren, G1473 G1743be empowered G1722in G2962the Lord, G2532and G1722in G3588the G2904might G3588 G2479of his strength! G1473 

We are to be filled with power in the Lord and in the dominion of His force. Let’s look at these words meaning strength.

1743 LSJ Gloss: ἐνδυναμόω to strengthen

Dodson: ἐνδυναμόω I fill with power, strengthen I fill with power, strengthen, make strong.

Strong's: ἐνδυναμόω to empower Derivation: from G1722 and G1412; KJV Usage: enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.

G1722 G1412 Thayer: 1) to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen  2) to receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength  3) in a bad sense  3a) be bold, headstrong

ἐνδυναμόω endunamoō en-doo-nam-o'-o From G1722 and G1412; to empower

2904 LSJ Gloss: κράτος strength, might

Dodson: κράτος dominion, strength, power dominion, strength, power; a mighty deed.

Strong's: κράτος vigor ("great") (literally or figuratively) Derivation: perhaps a primary word; KJV Usage: dominion, might(-ily), power, strength.

Thayer: 1) force, strength  2) power, might: mighty with great power  2a) a mighty deed, a work of power 3) dominion For Synonyms see entry G5820

κράτος kratos krat'-os Perhaps a primary word; vigor [“great” ], (literally or figuratively)

2479 LSJ Gloss: ἰσχύς strength

Dodson: ἰσχύς strength, power strength (absolutely), power, might, force, ability.

Strong's: ἰσχύς compare ἔσχον, a form of G2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: from a derivative of ἰς (force;

KJV Usage: ability, might(-ily), power, strength.

G2192 Thayer:1) ability, force, strength, might For Synonyms see entry G5820

ἰσχύς  ischus is-khoos' From a derivative of ἱς his (force; compare ἔσχον eschon ; a form of G2192); forcefulness(literally or figuratively)

Paul says to receive strength in the Lord and in the vigor of His power. We have to do this ourselves. If Paul says we can receive strength in the Lord then it is available to receive. Once we do this, we put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the craft of the devil. The craft of the devil is the scheming, and cunning art of trickery, and deceit of diabolos. Diabolos means the slanderer, false accuser, backbiter or traducer. The devil makes an art of falsehood against humanity. But we are to be empowered in Jesus’ dominion and force, then we stand.  

Ephesians 6:10 11G1746Put on G3588the G3833full armor G3588 G2316of God! G4314for G3588 G1410you to be able G1473 G2476to stand G4314against G3588the G3180craft G3588of the G1228devil.

2476 LSJ Gloss: ἵστημι to make to stand

Dodson: ἵστημι I cause to stand, stand trans: (a) I make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b) I set in balance, weigh; intrans: (c) I stand, stand by, stand still; met: I stand ready, stand firm, am steadfast.

Strong's: ἵστημιto stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary στάω (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); KJV Usage: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare G5087. G5087

Thayer: 1) to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set  1a) to bid to stand by, [set up]  1a1) in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges, before members of the Sanhedrin;  1a2) to place  1b) to make firm, fix establish  1b1) to cause a person or a thing

ἵστημι histēmi his'-tay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

Stand. Do not sit, do not lay down. Stand. Do not run, do not sleep. Stand. These are the keys to spiritual battle. Stand. Mature Christians do this well, but younger Christians make too many rash moves. When the pressure is on, less mature believers start to panic. Don’t flinch, don’t move, and don’t let the devil see you sweat. This is the benefit of older, mature people in our Church leadership. The old folks have been through a few battles, and they teach, by example, how to stand. Specifically in spiritual battle, we have to learn to stand. To get a feel for this word we will look at the word histemi in the Old Testament first.

Gen 6:18 But I will establish My covenant (promise, pledge) with you, and you shall come into the ark — you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. AMP

Yahweh institutes covenants with Noah and his family, and he did not let them down. The word establish here is the same word as “stand”. It seems odd, as establish is a verb with action, but stand is a verb without action, and that is a clue as to this usage of this word.

Gen 9:11 I will establish My covenant or pledge with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood; neither shall there ever again be a flood to destroy the earth and make it corrupt. AMP

Yahweh establishes a covenant. When Yahweh establishes something, it doesn’t move. It is solid and holds its ground. Establishing a covenant that is immovable is good imagery for us in what “standing” looks like. Another example for us is that Abraham stood before the Lord.

Gen 18:22 Now the [two] men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. AMP

Abraham did not move. He stood still and waited before the Lord. That is another clue to standing. Waiting. The Angels left, Abraham stayed. Another example, but in the negative, is Lot and his family. The Angels told them not to stand. Have you ever witnessed something like a fire or natural disaster? Our tendency is to stand still and stare until we can comprehend with our mind what is happening. The Angels said not to stop anywhere in the whole valley. This is the opposite of what we want to do in a spiritual battle, but it illustrates urgency in both cases. It is urgent for us to stop, stand, and establish our footing.

Gen 19:17 And when they had brought them forth, they said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you or stop anywhere in the whole valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], lest you be consumed. AMP

It is urgent for Lot and his family not to stop, but it is also urgent for us to stop. Why, because we wrestle against spiritual beings, but we are blind to spiritual beings unless we stop. Put on the armor, be filled with Jesus’ power, and stand still in this age. Did you notice that? Paul told us to put on the armor and then stand. He did not say put on the armor and march, fight, or retreat. Put on the full armor, then stand. That seems different than what we have construed regarding this armor. The armor is separate pieces of a force field, with only one offensive weapon. Paul says put it on and stand.

Ephesians 6:12G3754For G3756[³is not G1510.2.3 G1473⁴to us G3588¹the G3823²wrestling] G4314against G129blood G2532and G4561flesh, G235but G4314against G3588the G746sovereignties, G4314against G3588the G1849authorities, G4314against G3588the G2888world rulers G3588of the G4655darkness G3588 G165of this eon, G3778 G4314against G3588the G4152spirituals G3588of the G4189wickedness G1722in G3588the G2032heavenlies.

 13G1223On account of G3778this G353take up G3588the G3833full armor G3588 G2316of God! G2443that G1410you should be able G436to oppose G1722in G3588the G2250[²day G3588 G4190¹wicked], G2532and G537all things G2716being worked out, G2476to stand

14G2476StandG3767then!

We should be able to oppose in the wicked day. Oppose means to “take a stand against”. Being worked out means to “effect by labor” or “achieve”. We are to take a stand in the wicked day and labor to stand. Work to stand. Then, stand! We only have one weapon to fight with, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. If we want to cause the armies of the enemy to retreat, we take out the sword of the Spirit, we recite the living and powerful word of God. We are fully clothed, standing still, reciting the living breathing Word of God.

Let’s picture that for a moment. We are standing with armament on. There are evil spiritual forces swirling around us. They continue to tempt and torment us, but we stand. They push us and try to knock us down, but we stand. They start to enlist other humans to attack us, but we stand. Then, when we hear the direction from the Holy Spirit, we speak the living words of the living God, but we continue to stand. 

Paul makes some clear points regarding standing and being steady. He tells us if we remain in the faith, we are founded and settled. But at one time we were separated and enemies in our thoughts. Now we are reconciled, unblemished, and without reproach, if we are not moved about from the hope of the good news.

Colossians 1:21G2532And G1473you G4218at some time or other G1510.6being G526separated G2532and G2190enemies G3588 G1271in thought G1722by G3588 G2041[²works G3588 G4190¹wicked], G3568but now G1161 G604he reconciled

 22G1722in G3588the G4983body G3588 G4561of his flesh G1473 G1223through G3588 G2288death, G3936to present G1473you G39holy G2532and G299unblemished G2532andG410without reproach G2714before G1473him;

 23G1489if indeed G1961you remain G3588in the G4102belief G2311being founded G2532and G1476settled, G2532and G3361not G3334being moved about G575from G3588the G1680hope G3588of the G2098good news G3739of which G191you heard, G3588of the one G2784being proclaimed G1722in G3956all G3588the G2937creation, G3588in the one G5259under G3588the G3772heaven, G3739of which G1096[³became G1473¹I G*²Paul] G1249servant

Let’s look at the definitions of the words founded and settled.  The idea of laying a foundation gives us the understanding of permanency and the idea of settled gives the understanding of sitting comfortably.

2311 LSJ Gloss: θεμελιόω to lay the foundation of, found firmly

Dodson: θεμελιόω I found, lay the foundation I found, lay the foundation (lit. and met.).

Strong's: θεμελιόω to lay a basis for, i.e. (literally) erect, or (figuratively) consolidateDerivation: from G2310;KJV Usage: (lay the) found(- ation), ground, settle.

G2310 Thayer: 1) to lay the foundation, to found  2) to make stable, establish

θεμελιόω  themelioō  them-el-ee-o'-o  From G2310; to lay a basis for, that is, (literally)erect, or (figuratively) consolidate

1476 LSJ Gloss: ἑδραῖος sitting, sedentary

Dodson: ἑδραῖος firm, steadfast sitting, seated; steadfast, firm.

Strong's: ἑδραῖος sedentary, i.e. (by implication) immovable Derivation: from a derivative of ἕζομαι (to sit); KJV Usage: settled, stedfast.

Thayer: 1) sitting, sedentary  2) firm, immovable, steadfast

ἑδραῖος hedraios hed-rah'-yos From a derivative of ἕζομαι hezomai (to sit);sedentary, that is, (by implication) immovable

Peter sums up Paul’s ideas of Ephesians 6 by also mentioning that the enemy will come after us; but after suffering a bit just like everyone else, we will be established, grounded, strengthened, and settled by God.

1 Peter 5:8-10 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset — rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. AMP

Peter says to withstand the enemy. If we take Peter’s thoughts and Paul’s thoughts together, we put on the full armor to stand, then we stand, or withstand. Everyone goes through the same things, spiritual battles come and go, but we can become better at standing if we recognize that these spiritual battles are a normal part of the chaos of earth living. It takes tenacity to keep on standing no matter the tornado, blizzard, hurricane, or the forest fire that attempts to engulf us.

Paul’s prayer for us is this that we would be strengthened and reinforced and fortified in the inner man by the Holy Spirit.

Eph 3:16-19 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! AMP

If we want to grow up the next generation into mature believers, we have to learn to stand, and teach by example. Regardless of the spiritual battle surrounding us we wear the armor and stand. The only offence we have to use is verbalizing the Word of God. Why? Because we are not fighting flesh and blood. This is not about bathrooms, cakes, or GMO’s, it is about the spiritual wickedness encircling us, looking to devour us. If a lion or a bear physically charged us we would run. However, if a spiritual being charges us we do not run. We stand. Let’s read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Septuagint. You will notice it has extra verses that were cut out by the Masorete’s. But we see something unusual while they stood in the fire. They prayed and sang praises.

Danial 3:19 Then Nabuchodonosor was filled with wrath, and the form of his countenance was changed toward Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago: and he gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than usual, until it should burn to the uttermost. 20 And he commanded mighty men to bind Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then those men were bound with their coats, and caps, and hose, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, 22 forasmuch as the king’s word prevailed; and the furnace was made exceeding hot. 23 Then these three men, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell bound into the midst of the burning furnace, and walked in the midst of the flame, singing praise to God, and blessing the Lord.

Song of the Three Children

1 Then Azarias stood up, and prayed on this manner; and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire said,

2 Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore: 3 For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done to us: yea, true are all thy works, thy ways are right, and all thy judgments truth.

4 In all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, even Jerusalem, thou hast executed true judgment: for according to truth and judgment didst thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins. 5 For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from thee. 6 In all things have we trespassed, and not obeyed thy commandments, nor kept them, neither done as thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us. 7 Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment.

8 And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world. 9 And now we cannot open our mouths, we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants; and to them that worship thee.

10 Yet deliver us not up wholly, for thy name’s sake, neither disannul thou thy covenant: 11 And cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for thy beloved Abraham’s sake, for thy servant Isaac’s sake, and for thy holy Israel’s sake; 12 To whom thou hast spoken and promised, that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore. 13 For we, O Lord, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins. 14 Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to sacrifice before thee, and to find mercy.

15 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted. 16 Like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and grant that we may wholly go after thee: for they shall not be confounded that put their trust in thee.

17 And now we follow thee with all our heart, we fear thee, and seek thy face. 18 Put us not to shame: but deal with us after thy lovingkindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.

19 Deliver us also according to thy marvellous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord: and let all them that do thy servants hurt be ashamed; 20 And let them be confounded in all their power and might, and let their strength be broken; 21 And let them know that thou art God, the only God, and glorious over the whole world. 22 And the king’s servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the oven hot with rosin, pitch, tow, and small wood; 23 So that the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits. 24 And it passed through, and burned those Chaldeans it found about the furnace.

25 But the angel of the Lord came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows, and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven; 26 And made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them. 27 Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed, God in the furnace, saying,

28 Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever. 29 And blessed is thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

30 Blessed art thou in the temple of thine holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever. 31 Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever. 32 Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever. 33 Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and above all to be praised and glorified for ever.

34 O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever, 35 O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 36 O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 37 O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 38 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

39 O ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 40 O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 41 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 42 O all ye winds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever, 43 O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 44 O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 45 O ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

46 O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: bless and exalt him above all for ever. 47 O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 48 O ye ice and cold, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 49 O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 50 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

51 O let the earth bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 52 O ye mountains and little hills, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 53 O all ye things that grow in the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 54 O ye mountains, bless ye the Lord: Praise and exalt him above all for ever.

55 O ye seas and rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 56 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 57 O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 58 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

59 O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 60 O Israel, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

61 O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 62 O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 63 O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 64 O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

65 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever: for he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us from the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame: even out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered us. 66 O give thanks unto the Lord, because he is gracious: for his mercy endureth for ever.

67 O all ye that worship the Lord, bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks: for his mercy endureth for ever.

24 And Nabuchodonosor heard them singing praises; and he wondered, and rose up in haste, and said to his nobles, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? and they said to the king, Yes, O king. 25 And the king said, But I see four men loose, and walking in the midst of the fire, and there has no harm happened to them; and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nabuchodonosor drew near to the door of the burning fiery furnace, and said, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, ye servants of the most high God, proceed forth, and come hither. So Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, came forth out of the midst of the fire. 27 Then were assembled the satraps, and captains, and heads of provinces, and the royal princes; and they saw the men, and perceived that the fire had not had power against their bodies, and the hair of their head was not burnt, and their coats were not scorched, nor was the smell of fire upon them.

28 And king Nabuchodonosor answered and said, Blessed be the God of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants, because they trusted in him; and they have changed the king’s word, and delivered their bodies to be burnt, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Wherefore I publish a decree: Every people, tribe, or language, that shall speak reproachfully against the God of Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago shall be destroyed, and their houses shall be plundered: because there is no other God who shall be able to deliver thus. 30 Then the king promoted Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, in the province of Babylon, and advanced them, and gave them authority to rule over all the Jews who were in his kingdom.

31 King Nabuchodonosor to all nations, tribes, and tongues, who dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you. 32 It seemed good to me to declare to you the signs and wonders which the most high God has wrought with me, 33 how great and mighty they are: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power to all generations. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Daniel/index.htm

What a great thing to do while passing the time; standing, singing, praising, and praying. It is almost like a sword of the spirit, isn’t it? This is a great lesson we can apply to our own lives, no matter what the circumstances, staying steady in the middle of the fire, we simply won’t burn. If our younger generations see us do this, they will do it too. We may not be able to teach those who are so excessively sensitive to words to put on their big boy or big girl pants. Unless there isn’t constant pacification to their opinions, they will remain stunted emotionally. However, there is hope that by our example, the younger generations will learn to suit up, stand, and speak out the living words of our Living God. Tenacity can be taught and lived.