NEVER SURRENDER

I Was Just Thinking About – NEVER SURRENDER.

Following the evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk, Winston Churchill addressed the House of Commons. He was challenging and encouraging with his speech. He was also testing the mood of the nation as it faced the hardship of war with Germany. Near the end of his address, Churchill uttered these defiant words: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

The Biblical Christian and Church will face fierce spiritual conflicts. Paul reminded the believers in Ephesians 6:10-13, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Will such a conflict cause sadness or despondency? It might but it doesn’t have to do so! What is a practical way to stand your ground?  Paul’s response is to read on and learn about the whole armor of God and the purpose it serves.

Another consideration was penned by Fanny Crosby (1903) who wrote the Hymn, Never Give Up. Some of the words in that Hymn include: (Stanza 1) Never be sad or desponding, If thou hast faith to believe. Grace, for the duties before thee, Ask of thy God and receive. (Stanza 4):   Never be sad or desponding, Lean on the arm of thy Lord; Dwell in the depths of His mercy, Thou shalt receive thy reward. (Refrain):  Never give up, never give up, Never give up to thy sorrows, Jesus will bid them depart. Trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord, Sing when your trials are greatest, Trust in the Lord and take heart.

How can the child of God have confidence that he can and will be victorious? A passage that should give encouragement are contained in the words of Second Chronicles 20. The massive armies of the Ammonites and Moabites have joined forces to come against Judah. The people and King Jehoshaphat were overwhelmed as they thought about the coming invasion. In Verse 13, there is this scene where “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” They hear these words from the Lord (Verses 15-17), “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

This is a confidence that you and I can and should have as we face the trials and conflicts of life. We may feel inadequate, confused, and possess a sense of being inadequate. The words are for us as well as for Judah: “Do not be afraid or dismayed. The battle is not yours but God’s. The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid.” A word from the Lord for you (Philippians 1:6 – NKJV), “Being confident…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” This is the Lord’s word for you who believe in Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.