“I surrender!” “I give up!” “Uncle!” All these phrases are used when one person knows that he has been defeated and can’t take anymore. Whether it’s a kid in a wrestling match on the playground or a nation’s army that knows they have been licked, the action is the same. One gives up and admits it cannot win.
Back in 1945, when the Japanese stopped fighting at the close of World War II, the official surrender occurred on the battleship Missouri. General Douglas MacArthur represented the United States. The highly decorated Japanese admiral representing Japan extended his hand to MacArthur in an expression of peace and friendship. MacArthur, however, did not accept the handshake. He said, “Sir, first hand over your sword.” After the defeated admiral surrendered his sword, MacArthur then shook the man’s hand. This act symbolized an end to the fighting and to the future threat of war. When we come to God for help, we first come to him in surrender. We must hand over the sword—the willful resistance we have maintained against him. He wants to be our friend, not our adversary. When we resist his will, we are saying we don’t trust him completely with our lives. The United States went to great lengths after the surrender to rebuild the country of Japan and establish an ongoing relationship, which continues to this day. God has gone to great lengths to rebuild our relationship with him. We owe him our lives—we owe him our unconditional surrender. Are you ready to hand over your sword and make peace with God today? He’s ready to start rebuilding. |
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May 2016
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