The Positive Qualities of Destruction and Defeat

sur·ren·der

səˈrendər/

verb

-cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and surrender to their authority 

-give up or hand over (person, right, or possession) typically on compulsion or demand

-abandon oneself entirely to (a powerful emotion or influence); give in to 

 

de·stroy

diˈstroi/

verb

-put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it

-defeat utterly

At face value, these don't seem like exceptionally positive, enjoyable, or really even moderately inviting terms. To hand oneself over, to abandon to emotion or influence, to be utterly defeated or put to an end...these are not things we generally want, pursue, or desire. 

But maybe destruction is beautiful, and surrender is sweet. 

There is a lot of destruction in the Old Testament, lots of battles and utter defeats. In one part of the book of Joshua, the Israelites are fighting the people of Ai. 

 

The book says, "For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai."

 

This verse does not sound or appear to be exceptional or spectacular or anything out of the ordinary at first glance. Joshua held up a javelin and the people of Ai were destroyed. Why does his arm matter and why are we glad a bunch of people were defeated? The awe-inspiring part of that verse is found at the very bottom of the thin, slightly crinkled page of my Bible after a little letter "a"  written after the word "destroyed."

 

The footnote reads, "The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them." 

 

To wholly surrender something to God, the Israelites destroyed it. It was an irrevocable act because the thing was gone, utterly defeated, obliterated. There was no going back, no taking back the thing from God. They fully gave something over to God with such an act of trust as destroying it and knowing God would come through when they could not come through for themselves. Wholly surrendered. 

 

Throughout the Old Testament the Israelites displayed a striking pattern of halfway following God's commands, ignoring God's commands, saying they were surrendering, and then going back on that and taking life into their own hands once again. Sound familiar to our lives today? 

 

Often God would tell them not to plunder, not to keep anything for themselves, yet time and time again they would keep a few cattle, some sheep and donkeys, saying it was "for God," so they could sacrifice it to Him, when all along the sacrifice He desired (and desires) is a contrite spirit, surrender and trust. 

God wanted total destruction because that meant total surrender, because then they couldn't take it back. 

 

How often do we do this in our lives? 

 

I see how often I do, especially with dreams and desires, future, friends, family. I open my hands, hold them open, my wants and life held out to God. I surrender. But the dreams are still in my palms, I can close my fists tight and take them back, the act of surrender not complete.  

 

It's about total abandon, giving in, handing over. Being utterly defeated, dying to ourselves, so that all that is left is God.

 

Because ultimately, His desires are greater, His dreams are brighter, and only when we completely surrender, utterly defeat, completely destroy, can we actually trust, can we actually give Him the sacrifice He desires.