June 5,72 years ago, the greatest battle armada in world history was preparing to launch early the morning of the 6th of June. Its official name was Operation Overlord. In military jargon it’s called D-Day. 160,000 Allied military personnel from thirteen nations participated in the battle. 10,000 allied lives were lost in sealing the doom of Germany. It was the beginning of the end for The Thousand Year Reich. As Christians we can learn much from this piece of history as we daily combat the forces of evil that wish to destroy us. Note General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day letter to the troops:
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is will trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The freemen of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
Notice General Eisenhower laid truth on the line concerning great purpose, Destroy the Germans, the stakes of the battle, freedom, recounted recent victories, named the savage enemy, assured the allies of the named enemies fierceness. He further assured them of his confidence in them as warriors and demanded full victory. Furthermore, he encouraged the trust in Almighty God. It has been a long time since a commander issued similar orders and encouragement.
Of course we have an open letter in the Bible from our Lord Jesus Christ doing essentially the same things as General Eisenhower. Check it out. According to Romans 8:37, “We are arrogantly invincible because He loves us.” (My translation).
General Eisenhower did one thing our Lord Christ has never did. Note the Generals famous “in case” letter. It was written in his hand and carried in his wallet:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
It was signed July 5th, so you can see he was having a rough day. He meant June 5th. Thank God the “in case” letter was never used!
In our Lord’s case He has made no provision for defeat. Harriet Stowe wrote, “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.” May we with hearts full of faith, look to our King and banish all thought of failure as we march forward in full battle dress as Warriors of the Cross. Ephesians 6:10-20.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT work done right! Oral Deckard
Note Below the Official copies of the two letters mentioned in today's article. LML.
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is will trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The freemen of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
Notice General Eisenhower laid truth on the line concerning great purpose, Destroy the Germans, the stakes of the battle, freedom, recounted recent victories, named the savage enemy, assured the allies of the named enemies fierceness. He further assured them of his confidence in them as warriors and demanded full victory. Furthermore, he encouraged the trust in Almighty God. It has been a long time since a commander issued similar orders and encouragement.
Of course we have an open letter in the Bible from our Lord Jesus Christ doing essentially the same things as General Eisenhower. Check it out. According to Romans 8:37, “We are arrogantly invincible because He loves us.” (My translation).
General Eisenhower did one thing our Lord Christ has never did. Note the Generals famous “in case” letter. It was written in his hand and carried in his wallet:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
It was signed July 5th, so you can see he was having a rough day. He meant June 5th. Thank God the “in case” letter was never used!
In our Lord’s case He has made no provision for defeat. Harriet Stowe wrote, “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.” May we with hearts full of faith, look to our King and banish all thought of failure as we march forward in full battle dress as Warriors of the Cross. Ephesians 6:10-20.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT work done right! Oral Deckard
Note Below the Official copies of the two letters mentioned in today's article. LML.
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