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[Jesus said] “By standing firm you will gain life.”

It is the darkest period of World War II. For all intents and purposes, Nazi Germany has conquered the entire continent of Europe. At present, the only force that stands in its way is the island of Great Britain. Winston Churchill has been Prime Minister for only a few months, but these few months have been terrible for his country. Hitler’s bombs have been dropping on London without mercy. Entire neighborhoods are in rubble. Families are sleeping in subways to avoid the death raining down from above.

It is during this difficult, frightening time that Churchill receives an invitation. His old high school has asked him to come and speak to the students. He accepts. As the date nears, Churchill must give some thought as to what he will say. What do you say to teenagers whose families are facing the deprivations of war?

When the date arrives, Churchill has decided what he is going to say. He enters the school. He gathers with the students and faculty. Then he gets up to speak. He describes to the students the crucial moment in history in which they live. Then he delivers some of the most memorable words in the entire war. He tells them, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never.”

In Luke chapter 21, Jesus describes for his disciples the hard and difficult days that lie ahead for his followers. Satan and this fallen world will rage against the message of the gospel—the good news of full forgiveness through faith alone in the crucified and risen Son of God. The lives of Christians will be fraught with persecution, temptation, hostility, and pain. But then Jesus holds out a precious promise. He says, “By standing firm you will gain life.”

Apart from our Savior, of course, we would not stand at all. Left to ourselves, we would immediately fall away. But the Savior who has washed away our every sin of disloyalty is the same Savior who empowers us to stand firm. Therefore, in him, filled with the gospel in Word and sacrament, you and I will stand firm in this world until he brings us home to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, as the battle rages, move me never to give in. Never. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.