Thomas Paine, the great English writer wrote the following words during the darkest days of the Revolutionary war: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The soldier and the patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country. But they that stand it now, deserve the love and thanks of men and women. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered. But the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph…”

You see…it is difficult to stand in the face of adversity and not shrink away from the torrential waters that flood your soul!  It would be much simpler to run than to stand and fight!

The same holds true for the soldiers in God’s army.  It is easier to hold on to your hate and anger…your control, than to surrender yourself to God… to turn your back on all that is right and good and follow the crowd.  It is painless, undemanding, and trouble-free to simply ride the current.  But to row against it as you press toward your victory, is very difficult indeed!

As Mr. Paine pointed out, “hell is not easily conquered.  But the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph!”  Jesus’ conflict in the garden of Gethsemane was only won by His surrender to God the Father.  According to Scripture, He sweat great drops of blood as He prayed that the cup of crucifixion could possibly pass from Him…but in the end, He said, “Nevertheless, Thy will be done!”  That was complete surrender because if Jesus had wanted to, He could have called for ten thousand angels to come and rescue Him.  But He gave His power to God, and God, in turn, gave Jesus peace.

We who are soldiers in God’s army have a choice.  Do we want the thanks of men and women who found Jesus as their Savior because of our stand?  OR…would we rather keep control of OUR power with no peace in site?   Wouldn’t it be better to surrender ourselves to GOD’S POWER and Peace that will lift us up when the floods of adversity come? 

The choice is yours….

Your Power?  Or HIS Peace…