Know anyone at war with a defeated enemy?

Andorra – the tiny blip between France and Spain

Ever heard of the country of Andorra? Yeah, me neither. Probably only the  77,000 who live there (and a perhaps a few Jeopardy whiz kids) know much about Andorra. As small as it is, 16 countries are even smaller.

What I find fascinating about this country is how long it was at war with Germany. Andorra had been long aligned with its neighbor to the north, so when France went to war with Germany in World War I, Andorra tagged along. Never mind the country had no army, nor did its people engage in any battles; it was officially at war with big bad Germany.

When Germany surrendered, the countries gathered to sign the Treaty of Versailles, but they sorta forgot to invite Andorra to the table—kind of like Kevin in Home Alone, that kid everyone overlooks. So France, Britain, the US, and all the big dogs went home with victory, and Germany went home with its tail between its legs. Andorra? It officially stayed at war with Germany for 39 more years. It wasn’t until September 24, 1958 that Andorra finally declared peace on Germany.

It seems rather silly to think of this small country being at war with Germany. Andorra was no match for Germany’s army. Had the entire population of the country (less than 10,000 in 1914) marched out, what could they have done against ELEVEN MILLION German troops? Although Andorra was at war, they did nothing to secure the victory. Absolutely nothing. Yet they could still claim victory. It’s too bad it took them 39 years to get around to it.

As followers of Jesus Christ, the one who won the permanent victory over sin and death. we would do well to remember death is no longer our enemy. Sin is no longer our master. That war is over.

And we did nothing to win it. Jesus Christ did it all. By Himself. Yet because we align ourselves with Him, we can claim His victory as our own.

  • “‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-57).
  • “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5).

Victory is yours in Christ. Please don’t take 39 years to embrace that truth.