505: A Solemn Triumph // Spiritual Lessons from WW2 93 (Eric Ludy)

This is the final episode in Eric’s series on WW2. Uproarious celebrations full of shouts, cheers, and confetti broke out in New York City, San Francisco, and other places about the United States on VJ Day as the people of this country heard the announcement that the Japanese had formally surrendered. But this amazing news was processed quite differently by Americans in other parts of the world. Those in POW camps and prison camps found it difficult to shout, to dance, or to throw confetti into the air. Instead, they simply fell to their knees, and in silence, with tears streaming down their cheeks, gave thanks to God. Most of us wish we had the cheering and dancing variety of celebration for all our future breakthroughs, but often, the Christian life enjoys a very different sort of victory party — a silent one — full of tears of thanksgiving and deep groans of gratitude. But, don’t be fooled by all the hoopla. It is these silent, solemn triumphs that are truly the most exquisite kinds of victory parties to enjoy.