The White Flag

In early October 1781, then General George Washington arrived in Yorktown, VA for what would be the physical end of the Revolutionary War. Six years after the start of the war, Washington arrived back in Virginia to lead the troops once more. And on October 9, 1781, the final volley began against the British troops, successfully ending in the surrender of 7,000 British troops on October 19, 1781. It was a tremendous finish for the newly banded United States, but have you ever wondered how General Cornwallis and the British troops saw it from their position? Years of declining victories. Supply chains running low. The hope of success waning. Only to come to Yorktown faced with a decision. The British army had come to the end of itself. No way and no energy left to fight on. And Gen. Cornwallis was left with a choice. Continue to fight. Continue to push and exhaust all resources. Or raise the white flag and declare a surrender for the safety of his men and end the war. History tells us that Cornwallis chose surrender, but how many of us choose to fight on with our own lives?

We continue to push forward. We fight. We trudge on through the muck and mire wondering how much longer will I have to go on my own. But we were never meant to go at this alone. We weren’t called to a life of faith to fight on the battlefield weary and tired. We’re called to surrender. Not out of tiredness, but out of a sense of awareness that we need someone else to fight for us. It’s what the people of Israel faced as they left Egypt. Tired and weary, Moses called out to them as the army of Egypt followed close behind their escape, “do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV)

Moses knew that God had already won the day. It was a battle that he didn't have to fight. All Israel had to do was to recognize it for themselves. You may be down, still trying to fight on your own. Pushing forward with all your strength and will. But you don’t have to do it alone. The Lord will fight for you. It was this belief that spurred on the American cause. After one stunning defeat, Washington wrote to his troops that this they will remember, and assure themselves that on the next occasion, by a proper exertion of the powers which God has given them, and inspired by the cause of freedom in which they are engaged, they will be victorious (George Washington, General Orders, 5 October 1777).

As believers, we have our own cause of freedom to be inspired by. Jesus Christ gave Himself so that we might live. And because of this great sacrifice, He calls us to follow after Him. To surrender. Not in defeat, but so that we will be victorious in His name. In the stillness He will fight for you. Will you surrender this week? To raise the white flag of pride and self reliance. To be still and let the Lord fight for you.