Next, I would suggest that believers who live their lives in the presence of the Lord become strong men and women. The prophet Elijah possessed a secret power which enabled him to stand alone against the mighty royal house, in fact, against the whole nation. He mentions the source of his secret power in a conversation with the pious but cowardly Obadiah: “As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him (Ahab) today” (1 Kings 18:15). One can soon tell whether a man is “standing before the Lord” as he deliberates, plans, and decides issues. Such men are men of conviction, and are willing to sacrifice for their convictions. They may encounter adversity and misunderstanding, even derision and opposition, but this neither makes the discouraged nor bitter, as long as they know that they are doing the will of the Lord. They walk erectly and straightforwardly before God. It is true that they are not perfect. They can make mistakes. But they are strong and courageous as they stand before the Lord to confess that they did make a mistake. Such people are always respected.

   It seems to me that our age is especially in need of such men and women. We are a generation of well-meaning, zealous and industrious Christians, but weak and ineffective. It is easy for us to be “yes-men,” not only to worldly people when we meet them alone, but also to friends. That is why the atmosphere often becomes so sultry and stuffy among friends. But if we stand before the Lord, we will be delivered from saying merely what people want us to say. Our speech will become seasoned with salt and there will be the breath of freshness in our addresses as well as in our private conversation. 

The Christian Life - Ole Hallesby