World War II in the Pacific officially ended when Japan surrendered in August 1945.
But that didn’t end the war for everyone.
Lieutenant Hiro Onoda was one of several specially trained Japanese soldiers assigned to occupy small Pacific islands. They had been ordered to disrupt and sabotage enemy efforts—and never surrender or take their own lives.
Lieutenant Onoda was a man who followed orders.
Despite several attempts by Japan’s post-war government to convince him to surrender, he refused to accept the good news that the war was over. His commanding officer had not issued him any new orders. Until that occurred, he would follow the orders he had.
Rather than believe the sound of human footfalls meant good news, Lieutenant Onoda assumed just the opposite: Every sound could be the enemy. In his view, he had to defend himself against any encroachment. Shots were fired. Lives ended. It was only when, in 1974, his former commanding officer was flown to the island and formally delivered new orders to him that Lieutenant Onoda surrendered.
He had been at war for 30 years.
In this week's Romans passage, the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 52 when he writes, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But, Isaiah also raises (and Paul repeats) the question: "Who has believed our message?" People will be sent, proclamations voiced, and the Lord will be made known throughout the world. But what happens if those who are on the receiving end do not believe what they hear? They may, like Lieutenant Onoda, refuse to come in from the cold.
Like the prophet Elijah in the 1 Kings passage, when Lieutenant Onoda was given new orders, they were life-changing. The rest of his life was significantly different from the previous decades. But it took new orders to make that happen. When we humans "dig in" to a belief, it’s very difficult for us to change. Only when the message comes coupled with what we recognize as a higher power are we willing to set aside our "old way" and become something entirely new.
Paul was exactly that way before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He, too, was waging a war. He wouldn't surrender without new orders—and he got them.
Our takeaway: If, when we deliver our good news, it is rejected, we should not be discouraged. People often reject change that seems to conflict with their existing structure—especially if it sounds like they may have to "surrender." Instead of giving up, we should reach out to God and pray on their behalf.
New orders may be needed.
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Photo: White Flag from Adobe Express filtered through Photoshop Express
Link to photos of retired Japanese Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, the person who issued the original orders to Lieutenant Hiro Onoda, delivering new orders in 1974 instructing the Lieutenant to surrender after 30 years in the Philippine jungle.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/world/gallery/hiroo-onoda?cid=ios_app&openWithFirefox=true
https://www.historyhit.com/hiroo-onoda-the-japanese-soldier-who-refused-to-surrender/
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DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast is truly a "stand down" experience. We leave our concerns for a while and just enjoy some time together. Join us Friday morning for food, fellowship, and some time in God's word. We meet on Zoom* and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place. We start at 8:00. Visiting and laughter are both on the menu.
All feet welcome, even ugly ones.
Blessings,
Steve
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=17134&z=p&d=68
Print them from here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Ax_Proper14.pdf
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-21
Matthew 14:22-33
Proper 14 (19) (August 9, 2026)
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