CCBC

D – Day – 9 June 2019

The 75th anniversary commemorations of D – Day on Thursday 6 June were especially moving, particularly because of the advanced age of the dwindling number of veterans.  Three simple thoughts occur to me in regard to D – Day:

  1. The great theme of D – Day revolves around the sacrifice of so many to achieve, for so many others, freedom from evil oppression.  We are clearly reminded again of the stupendous sacrifice of the young Son of Man from heaven who died to liberate us from sin, death and hell.  Jesus came “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners …. to release the oppressed” (Luke 4v18) and He achieved this for us at the cost of His own life.
  2. It is generally considered that once the objectives of D – Day were successfully achieved the overall outcome of World War II was inevitable, although it took another 11 months until Nazi Germany was finally defeated and the war was over.  Jesus has totally conquered sin, death and hell – the devil is a defeated foe.  Nevertheless there is a ‘mopping up’ operation still to be completed which requires disciplined spiritual warfare, even though the outcome is guaranteed.  We must, therefore, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6v12) using spiritual weaponry (2 Corinthians 10v4,5) and be clothed with the armour of God (Ephesians 6v10-18), always remembering that we are on the victory side.
  3. I especially love visiting the landing beaches and surrounding countryside in Normandy.  They are now areas of great beauty and peace in comparison with the horrors of 75 years go.  What a microcosm of what Jesus has achieved on our behalf – and what we look forward to in the new heaven and new earth.

Peace and Grace

Paul