News Flash! The War is Over!

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Expectant Living, Living Free, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth, Uncategorized 81 Comments

 

I sat with my first cup of coffee on Saturday morning, reading the Living Section of the newspaper.

Steve, a non-coffee-drinker, read the editorial page.

He stopped to read an article out loud. It is a common practice between us. Even though we know the other will read it eventually, when something stirs us, tickles us, or befuddles us, we stop and read it out loud to the other.

Headline: Japanese Second World War soldier who refused to surrender until 1974 after 29 years in hiding dies at 91.

The story intrigued me. Not so much because of the story itself, but because of the vision I had of so many of us.

Hiding even though the war is over.

Fighting a battle that has long since been won by someone else .

Refusing to believe the truth.

Ignoring the facts.

Hiroo Onoda was a Japanese imperial soldier who was commissioned in the Philippines during World War II. When he was 20 years old he left his job at a Chinese trading company, trained for war, and was selected to be a part of the Imperial Army Intelligence.

In 1944, Onoda was sent to Lubang Island in the Philippines. But the island was conquered in February of 1945, and the Japanese lost the war the following August.

The war ended.

World War II was over.

Hiroo refused to believe it.

He continued to hide out in the jungle, take pot shots as civilians, polish his gun, scrounge for food, and patch up his uniform. He continued looking out for enemy troops and fighting on the Philippine island… for 29 years. Some people died because of it.

Twenty-nine years.

The government had used airplanes to drop leaflets, newspapers, letters from family members, and photographs to convince him to come out of hiding. Delegates from Japan, folks from mission organizations, and various government officials used loudspeakers to urge him to leave—to call him out of the brush, down from the tress, out from under the rocks.

But he refused to believe it. He refused to lay down his arms.

It was only when his former commander (whom the government had to pull from a bookstore in which he worked) flew to the jungle and reversed his 1945 orders to stay behind and spy on American troops, did he finally believe the news and come out of hiding.

That was in 1974, 29 years after the war had ended.

It all sounded silly, until I pictured myself hiding out in the jungle with him.  Perhaps you are there too.

The war is over. Jesus has won.

He fought the principalities; He defeated the enemy; He conquered sin and death.

He died. He rose. He reigns.

And yet, so many of us hide out in the jungle of our own fears rather than live free.

Refuse to lay down our weapons and continue to take pot shots at unknowing civilians.

Scrounge around for crumbs rather than feast on the bounty that Jesus has prepared for us.

He call it the abundant life. Life to the full.

Are you waiting for the Royal Commander to come and give you the news? Do you need to hear it firsthand? If so, here it is.

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (God declared all out war on Satan and the powers of darkness.) 1 John 3:8

Jesus said it: “I have overcome the world” (John 16:35).

Jesus said, “It is finished” (John19:30).

Yes, there is a spiritual battle that we will continue to fight until we leave this earth. The enemy still takes pot shots at you, and at me. But the war is over. Jesus won. You won. It is finished.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

I would hate to think that I would waste 29 years, 29 days, 29 minutes, 29 seconds fighting a battle that has already been won.

I hope you’ll join me today by walking in the victory that has already been won for you. Don’t waste another minute hiding in the jungle fear, shame, or condemnation.

If you’ll join me, leave a comment that says, “Praise God, the war is over! The victory is mine!”

 

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Comments 81

  1. I was so stressed about my work situation and concerned that I can’t cope ….there was always a voice whispering that I should just stop stressing and worrying, but I just wouldn’t listen to it!
    I woke up this morning to read your blog and I knew this message was for me. I am free and no worry should keep me hostage. I am victorious because Jesus already won the battle, so I want to walk in victory!!

    Reply

  8. “Praise God, the war is over! Victory is mine!” Thank you Sharon for starting my day with this sad yet beautiful and wonderful analogy! Jesus is truth!

    Reply

  17. Thank you. This is one of the best things that I could have read. I forgot that I could relax and stop fearing and getting angry at the world because of the way that it is. Now I can start remembering that the war is indeed over, and that HE has won. I needed to read this news once again,more than I was aware of. Again, thank you most sincerely.
    You are quite the messenger.

    Reply

  22. The devil has taken many pot shots in the last 2 years. Too many times I’ve become overwhelmed by the battle. Blow after blow, I often wondered where God was and why I/we were having to face so many trials. As soon as I started to get back on my feet, another one would come. Then the fear set in about what could be next. I would then be reminded that he was there…and always was. I just needed to stand with Him and stop fighting. I know how the story ends because he is my savior. He’s got my back.

    Reply

  25. “Praise God, the war is over”. Thanks for sharing this today….lately I have felt like I am in war on all sides….thanks for this reminder that the battle has been won & the victory is mine….in Jesus name…

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  29. Praise be to God he has conquered it all! Thank you lord for the victory is mine!-That is something I have remind myself on a daily basis. One day all that will hopefully become a habit!

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  34. Honestly, I am so “battle weary” in my life at this present time, that it is hard to declare that which I KNOW is true!! But, The Lord always speaks TRUTH!! And He is the Royal Commander who spoke loudly and clearly through “orders delivered by Sharon” to remind me “Praise God, the war is over! The victory is mine!” 🙂

    Reply

  41. Triple Negative Breast Cancer conqueror – had 5 months of chemo and now in Hosp recovering from DM surgery. I have the victory in Christ Jesus. No radiation required because of my faith in God’s word. Nothing is too hard. Standing on God’s word for my healing, restoration in marriage lives be saved

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  43. Thankyou Sharon ..i needed t hear this. I have been plagued with fear & anxiety this week.I needed a reminder, He has got this under control.

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    1. “Praise God, the war is over! The victory is mine!” I went forward Sunday for prayer for restoration from anxiety and depression, healing from hurts, etc. Thank you for these encouraging words today!

      Reply

  51. Praise God! The war has been won! It is finished! He triumphed over all the power of the enemy. This is so real to me. There are times when I listen to his negative suggestions but I thank God that I am forgiven and have a vast wealth in Christ. My life verse is: Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today & forever.

    Thank you for posting Truth for us to read and reread and remind ourselves.
    God bless you Sharon.

    Marilyn

    Reply

  52. Praise God that I can have victory through Him. I am constantly fighting with an 18 year old daughter to keep herself pure for ‘the one’ God has in store for her. But the world, school, friends & coworkers are throwing opposite messages to her. I’ve given her to our Lord, however I’m also pushing her away from home. She wants to move out of state to get a career after graduation.

    Reply

  56. Praise God, the war is over! The victory is mine!
    Pray for me as am having an operation soon. I know Jesus has won this battle for me already . Hallelujah !

    Reply

  68. Excellent remarks and they strike dearly to my own heart. But I also see some thinking that needs to be shared the next time I speak to my recovery group. I see too many hanging out in the jungle of addiction when Jesus has already given them the power to recover. I read this story and I truly appreciate the thoughts that God gave you from it. Keep up the good work. By the way, as I told the other blogger that I read regularly, I have enlisted you as an accountability partner and I always look forward to your next post. Thanks for the loving care.

    Reply

  69. “Praise God, the war is over! The victory is mine!”

    I’ve been listening to these words from my pastors, from the books, from friends, relatives and others that appreciate me.

    Last year I started being afraid of dying, not reaching God’s purpose for my life, and paranoia landed in my heart where for so long God placed assurance of my identity as His daughter, comfort and trust in His word.

    I guess I heard the wrong voices once and it came straight down to my heart. I has been a very tough battle…Me going out in the streets but hiding of everything, hiding even from myself because my mind tricked me with awful thoughts. Today there are less negative thoughts and more of the word of God healing me. And the Holy Spirit’s guidance into that faithful, peaceful place where I always rested with all my trust in His perfect plans for me. I am fully depending on the Lord’s strengths not on mine. I believe this is a key to surpass every and any type of fear.

    Jesus gave me victory 2,000 years ago, He conquered death, sin, all kinds of evil. I stand strong today and declare I have won as well the war was His then…And He won! Praise the Lord, he won!

    Blessings,

    Eda

    Reply

  70. I have had an awful bout with clinical depression this winter. I was putting my faith in medication and doctors. My GiG Margo asked me if I had asked God for healing. The trust was I hadn’t even thought of it. My great girlfriend reminded me that God is THE great healer – and I needed to cry out to Him and ask for His healing. I got on my knees after the phone call and through tears of frustration and anger and sadness I begged The Lord (first to forgive me for never coming and asking for His healing, and then asked that He would lay His mighty healing hand upon me and heal me from this episode of clinical depression. The Lord is faithful! The next morning I awoke feeling differently. All day I felt better; hopelessness was not there, anger had dissipated, frustration ceased. I walked away a free woman!!

    Praise God! The war is over! Victory is mine through Christ!!

    Reply

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