Surrender Brings Victory
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
At precisely 9:04 am on September 2, 1945 aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, World War II officially ended. Signing on behalf of Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese foreign minister inked his signature to the document acknowledging Japan’s complete and unconditional surrender to the Allied powers. It was an awesome sight for those few that attended. I have a good friend whose father was a sailor on the USS Mississippi, which was anchored not too far away, who was able to see the ceremony take place through binoculars.
General MacArthur punctuated the ceremony by expressing the deep desire of all who witnessed this moment: “It is my earnest hope—indeed the hope of all mankind—that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the carnage of the past.” If you follow history, you know what emerged from this moment: a U.S.-led economic recovery plan. It fostered a slow but steady recovery from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, enabling the last half of the twentieth century to become one of the most productive and peaceful periods in the history of the world.
By all accounts, placing itself at the mercy of the prevailing powers allowed Japan to renew itself, rebuild, and recover. But first the Japanese military and government had to completely give up, lay down its arms, and surrender unconditionally. This is certainly a great illustration of what is necessary for us to experience the love that God has provided for us his children.
Imagine Japan’s coming to the formal table on the USS Missouri and saying to General MacArthur, “We’ll sign, but we want to strike through the ‘unconditional’ part. We will agree, however, to using the phrase ‘mostly surrender.’” That wouldn’t have cut it with MacArthur or the leaders back in Washington, D.C. And neither is it be acceptable for God’s men.
Your Father will provide the faith that you need to surrender to Him.
Father, You will not hold back. You keep Your promises.