This week marks eighty years since the tide of history was turned, as the allies set foot on France to begin the liberation of Europe from the scourge of Nazism.

A ROYAL ADDRESS

On June 6th 1944 King George 6^th addressed the nation.  The challenge facing that great international army was summed up by none other than Joseph Stalin in one of his despatches from Russia to Mr Churchhill.  He referred to Napoleon Bonaparte’s failure to breach the channel and conquer England.  He spoke of hysterical Hitler’s boast that he would make a landing across the channel.  Only our allies have succeeded he said before closing off with these words “History will record this deed as an achievement of the highest order.”

Never before in history either before nor since had such a massive and audacious invasion plan been launched, with all of the terrible risks which it entailed.  But the cause of freedom demanded nothing less.  France must be prised from the grasp of Germany in order that Nazism be conquered, and Europe liberated.

On this long-awaited day – this D Day – the King addressed the nation:

“Four years ago our nation and empire stood alone against an overwhelming enemy, with our backs to the wall. Tested as never before in our history, in God’s providence we survived that test…

Now once more a supreme test has to be faced.  This time the challenge is not to fight to survive but to fight to win the final victory…That we may be worthily matched with this new summons of destiny.  I solemnly declare to call my people to prayer and to dedication.  We shall ask not that God may do our will, but that we may be enabled to do the will of God.  Surely not one of us is too busy to play our part in a nationwide vigil of prayer as this great crusade steps forth.”

In closing he quoted the final words of this Psalm:

“The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord bless his people with peace”

 

THE WIND AND THE STORM

There are great similarities between this 29^th Psalm and the events that took place in the English Channel eighty years ago.  This Psalm poetically portrays the providence of God in the wind and the storm.

In verses 1 & 2, another King, King David, is ascending Mount Zion to the tabernacle where he is intending to worship God.  He looks to the north west, however, and in the distance over the Mediterranean he sees a black cloud growing ever larger and drawing ever closer.  A storm is fast approaching from the sea:

“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth; the Lord is upon many waters”

As the storm makes landfall it sweeps down into Israel through the land of Lebanon.  David in his poetic muse imagines the havoc that this wind must be making:

“The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars, yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.”

As the storm bears down upon Israel, coming over Galilee and approaching Jerusalem David sees the flashing lightening burstimg forth from the darkness:

“The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.”

The wind, the rain, the lightening passes over David’s head, travels through Jerusalem but still he watches. The cloud disappears, the sunshine reappears, but he turns and sees the storm travelling southwards to the wilderness country, to the dead sea area:

“The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh”

He thinks about the cows, startled by the onslaught, forced to calve prematurely in their alarm:

“The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve.”

As the trees sway and crack with the ferocity of the wind David elegantly writes:

“The voice of the Lord discovereth the forests”

But in the south country where the river beds are often dry and where the ground is barren, the flood suddenly erupts because of the torrential downpour.  Therefore David writes:

“The Lord sitteth upon the flood”

As the storm blows out, as the wind calms, as the rain disappears, however, David is drawn to think about the peace that God alone gives:

“The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace.”

THE UNFOLDING OF GOD’S PURPOSES

David saw God in the storm and in the wind.  He could see the purposes of God being unfolded, he could see the awesome power of God demonstrated as he stood upon that lofty vantage point admiring this demonstration of nature.  He could hear the voice of God in the wind and the thunder.  As he ascended what would later become the temple mount, it felt like God was speaking through the storm showing David who He was and what He could do.

As he approached the place of worship he had a prayer upon his heart:

“Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength”.

Then God sent the storm to shown David how strong and how glorious He was.  As the storm passed over David came to appreciate that the whole world was a temple.  That God was not confined to one place or own nation.  That he was at work everywhere and in so many ways:

“In his temple doth everyone speak of his glory…yea the Lord sitteth King forever.”

After the storm was over David reflected upon the peace that felt more peaceful, more to be appreciated after the ravages of nature’s power.  Yet he knew that God who had given this peace had given his people strength to endure the storm.

All of this is so pertinent and so appropriate as we reflect upon the events of D Day eighty years ago.  In many respects King George 6^th could not have selected a more appropriate Psalm.

DIVINE PREPARATION FOR D DAY

Since 1939 Britain, Europe and the world were experiencing a terrible storm which had been unleashed upon humanity. Hundreds of thousands had been killed, Jews and other minority groups were facing extinction, the nations of Europe had lost their freedom.  Yet through those terrible years which preceded the D Day invasion the providence of God was at work.  Britain’s Expeditionary Force was preserved and miraculously evacuated from France at Dunkerque.  The young pilots of the Spitfires and Hurricanes successfully saw off the German bombing raids in the Battle of Britain in 1940.  Japan’s daring strike on Pearl Harbour convinced the USA that she must join the war effort and become our ally, Montgomery’s successful campaign in North Africa repelling Rommel’s forces, Malta’s singular achievement in holding out against the most ferocious bombardment, therefore giving us a base in the Mediterranean – and many more indicated factors that the providence of God was at work during the terrible evil which was engulfing Europe.  Yes, the Lord was indeed giving strength unto his people.

In the events leading up to D Day itself, it was evident that there was a higher power at work. 

CALMING THE SEAS

During May and June the English Channel is normally calm.  Logically speaking this was the time to attempt an invasion of France.  The allied forces knew this but so did the Germans.  But May and June 1944 recorded the stormiest season that the Channel had experienced for 20 years.  It seemed that nature was conspiring to prevent an invasion. 

But the voice of the Lord was upon the waters.  He was in that wind.  Those storms which postponed the planned invasion, which prevented Eisenhower from making the final decision, those storms were big with opportunities.  Indeed, those storms helped to make the invasion a success.

The Germans believed, all their weather experts, had advised that an invasion could not be launched that June.  They anticipated the attempt to be made in August when the weather calmed.  At the time of the invasion many German units were without officers, and some coastal units were away on exercise. Rommel, Hitler’s famous General was in Germany celebrating his wife’s 50^th birthday. In Normandy, especially, the Germans were, relatively speaking, thin on the ground.

As Eisenhower waited for a favourable report, as the Germans anticipated an August iunvasion suddenly a weather report forecast a favourable forty eight hours. A brief window of opportunity has opened.  At 4am on Monday 5^th June Eisenhower made his final decision.

Eight years later Eisenhower spoke of making this the most agonising decision of his life:

“If there was nothing else in my life to prove the existence of God of an Almighty and merciful God, the events of the next 24 hours did it.  The break in a terrible outlay of weather occurred the next day and allowed that great invasion to proceed, with losses far below those we anticipated.”

As the leaders of our nation in those remarkable times reflected upon those days and years they were convinced as Eisenhower was, of the intervention of God.

General Montgomery said concerning D Day and the subsequent liberation of France:

“Such an historic of events can seldom have taken place in such a short space of time…Let us say to each other…This was the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.”

Churchill himself said,

“I sometimes have a feeling of interference.  I want to stress that, I have a feeling sometimes that some Guiding Hand has interfered.”

THE DECLINE OF A NATION

In just eighty years our nation has gone from one which freely acknowledged the influence and the power of God to one which considers God to be an embarrassment.

In eighty years, this United Kingdom has gone from a nation which publicly acknowledged her need of prayer, and where people collectively met to cry unto God in her greatest need – to a land where even God’s people neglect the place of prayer.

In eighty years, this nation that we love has not only retreated away from these noble spiritual values which were evidently blessed, to one where the word of God, the law of God and where even the person of God is despised and ridiculed. 

Certainly, the events of D Day and the fact that we had a King who quoted Scripture and a group of military and civilian leaders who had a consciousness of God and who acknowledged our need of prayer – these things speak of how far we have fallen as a people.

They also make us concerned for the future of our nation.  Germany prior to the war were a people who had forgotten their spiritual roots.  It was this spiritual void which made the emergence of tyrant like Hitler possible.  That nation was decimated as a result.  All Germany received from the war was a past of which she is ashamed.  If our nation continues on its present course judgment beckons.

And yet we must be optimistic and encouraged.

GOD’S VOICE IN THE WIND

“…fine weather leads us abroad and we sometimes take long walks but clouds and storms hasten us homeward.”

William Jay

Look again at our Psalm.  A storm was raging.  But God’s voice is heard in the wind.  He gives his people strength for the storm and gives peace after the storm.  A storm of militant atheism and godless liberalism is bearing down upon our nation; our Christian heritage is being torn again, the foundations of our nation are being broken up.  Yet we must believe that the sovereignty of God is at work. 

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf”. (1Pe 4:12-16)

 

God will preserve His witness; God will vindicate His truth, God will strengthen His people; God will whisper His sweet peace of assurance into our hearts.

 Finally; what is true of the life of our nation is true of our lives as individuals.  There are times the storms rage.  But always remember – the purpose of God is in the storm, he will strengthen – he will bless his people with peace.  Tears may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning.

“The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord bless his people with peace”