On May 8, 1945 celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe.
Last week marked the 79th commemoration of Victory in Europe Day.
Obviously, there was much for which to be thankful. The surrender of Germany was monumental and had been achieved along with great loss and difficulty. However, the work was not final or complete. War still raged in the East.
President Harry S. Truman gave a short speech in which he encouraged our country to finish what had been started. He said in part:
“The flags of freedom fly over all Europe. For this victory, we join in offering our thanks to the Providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity…
We can repay the debt which we owe to our God, to our dead and to our children only by work—by ceaseless devotion to the responsibilities which lie ahead of us. If I could give you a single watchword for the coming months, that word is—work, work, and more work. We must work to finish the war. Our victory is but half-won. The West is free, but the East is still in bondage…
I call upon every American to stick to his post until the last battle is won. Until that day, let no man abandon his post or slacken his efforts…”
I can appreciate the sentiments from this world leader. So much had been accomplished. So many had given their lives. The goal of global peace and an end to the war had yet to be reached. More had to be done! The citizens needed to be encouraged to keep up the fight.
I am sure that you can see numerous spiritual lessons here.
Have you just gone through a long period of strife and have now come out victorious?
Are you in the middle of a time of darkness and cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel?
Are you patiently and prayerfully longing for someone who has wandered away from the truth to come home?
For situations such as these (and 1,000 more), this is your call to stick to your post!
Don’t give up. Stay faithful. Keep trusting God and following Jesus.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Cor. 4:16-17)
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)
