2 Kings 22:19 “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake…, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.”
The eight square miles of the black volcanic sands of Iwo Jima made up an extremely important piece of land during World War II, for it contained a strategic airfield. The Allied forces determined that it was necessary to conquer the island – it would give their crippled airplanes a safe place land, and it would give the Allies a base from which they could effectively attack the mainland of Japan; hence, the struggle that took place there in February 1945. The Japanese had dug an extremely complex tunnel system under the island that gave them a dominant edge in the impending battle. They were so intent on keeping the island that they were given the command that under no circumstances were they to surrender. They were to fight with every force of power they had unto the death. After intense conflict, the Marines were finally able to place the American flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi, which gave them the superior vantage that allowed them to finally capture the island. As the Marines wormed through the tunnels where the Japanese fighters had been fortified, they found the bodies of those who had lain on grenades or shot themselves as the only alternative to surrendering to their enemies.
Sadly, many Christians treat the will of God in the same way that the Japanese soldiers treated defeat. Under no circumstances are they willing to surrender to God’s will for their lives. They will run to the world for safe haven; they will fortify themselves behind the world’s music and entertainment; and they will fight God’s will in every way possible, but they will not surrender to what He wants them to do. They choose the side of God’s enemies while knowing that it will not last. They know that God sees them and that, someday, they will regret making the choices they are making. Still they persist. Grievously, they will march to their own destruction and will commit spiritual suicide as their only escape from the will of God. Yet, it makes no difference to them what happens to them as long as they didn’t have to surrender to God.
How foolish it is for a Christian to fight God’s will in such a way. Surrender requires humility, which is one reason the Japanese were unwilling to do so, and why so many Christians act in the same manner. However, God has something so much better for the young person who will just surrender to do what God wants him to do with his life.
Pastor Steve Boots
Mount Victory Baptist Church | Henrico, VA
Mount Victory Baptist
