I once took a trip to England with EF Educational Tours. We visited Buckingham Palace and saw the changing of "The Queen's Guard." The pageantry was fascinating, but it was not as intriguing as the discipline the sentry—soldiers stationed to keep guard, and to control access—showed. They were at their post for two hours. Every 10 minutes, they came to attention, sloped arms, and marched 15 paces across the area of the post. Each sentry does this four to five times before halting. They then shoulder arms and stand at ease. 'Standing easy' is not permitted while a sentry is at their post. Orders read aloud state that sentries "may not eat, sleep, smoke, stand easy, sit or lie down during [their] tour of duty." (Wikipedia) Some try to distract, dissuade, or discombobulate the sentry. One woman was so annoying, a guard lost his cool and kicked her in the ankle. Consequently, the entire guard was moved from outside the palace to within its walls. To be a sentry, you have to be STEADFAST - resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. This is what the LORD is calling us to, not just in 2024, but for the rest of our lives.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 about the everlasting hope we have because Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. He lives today! and those who believe Jesus is LORD and King have an expectation that when we die, we will live and reign with Him forever. We serve God from a vantage point of victory as soldiers in His Kingdom's army. Christ has conquered death, hell, and the grave. We are triumphant in Him.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades (grave), where is your victory?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Paul encourages those who identify with Christ to live steadfast lives. We are to be undistracted like those sentries—disciplined, focused, and persevering to the end. This is my prayer for myself and all of us. Happy New Year! | 
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