All Rise

By Ann Farabee

In the courtroom, those words bring silence. Voices stop mid-sentence. Everyone stands. Why? It is out of respect for the judge and the court. Often, those standing feel fear or face uncertainty. The judge is the authority – and the verdict is coming.

At night, we go to sleep. We become disengaged from our surroundings. Energy is restored, muscles relax, tissue growth and repair takes place, and our immune system is supported. Our problems are on hold as our bodies and minds rest.

Morning comes. We all rise.

To rise means to move vertically, while increasing in intensity, at a smooth, consistent pace. It means to go from a lower position to a higher position. It means to succeed in not being limited or constrained by our environment or situation.

What does the Bible say about rising?

Rise when we fall. Micah 7:8 says for the enemy not to rejoice over us when we fall, because we WILL rise. Even when we sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to us.

Rise and build. In Nehemiah 2:18, when the walls needed to be rebuilt, the people responded, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they strengthened their hands to do the good work.

Rise and pray. In Luke 22:45-46, Jesus rose from prayer to go tell his disciples to rise and pray.

Rise and praise. Psalm 113:3 says that from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.

A verdict in the courtroom can be life changing – sometimes for the good – but often for what feels like the really bad.

They are told to rise as they face being sent to prison, as their marriage is dissolved, as the custody of their children is settled, as the bankruptcy becomes a reality, or as a sentence is read that would have once seemed unimaginable.

But, whether we are told to rise in the courtroom to hear the potentially life-changing verdict, or whether we are rising to face a new day, God is always present. He helps us rise when we fall. He will be with us as we rise to build – or rebuild. And our greatest weapons in each day – no matter the situation – are to rise and pray – and rise and praise.

Can we do it?

Yes. We can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength.