60 years ago today, upon the high water's wings they came
60 years ago today, searching for the unknown the paths to pave
60 years ago today, shrouds of mist scorched by heaven's flame
60 years ago today, invisible hands split open the beckoning waves
Frank Everards 60 years ago! The Second World War had been underway for nearly five years and many millions of people in the European theater had given their lives in support of their beliefs, or, in many cases, for being innocent victims of ravishing armies or arrogant leaders. Britain had been bombed mercifully and for awhile the situation seemed almost hopeless. Yet, the subsequent American entry into the war and some successes in Africa and elsewhere set the stage for the beginning of the final push toward victory, the European landing. Frank Everards' wonderful poem, "Memories", from which I quote the first stanza, vividly describes this most important event of the war.
The western armies, for the most part, were the British, Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians, South Africans, mostly people from the tribe of Joseph. Perhaps it's ironic that sixty years later, it is primarily the nations of Joseph in the Mid-East conflict.
In these days of doubt and derision of anything truly Christian, it's difficult for the masses to perceive the protection given us by God in the Normandy landing. Or, for that matter, throughout those dreadful war years. Yet, in those days, God was clearly on our side. He safely delivered over 300,000 of our troops trapped in Dunkirk, He guided us through the decisive Battle of Britain and He calmed the weather elements in the American invasion of Casablanca and Sicily. In those days, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Divine Intervention was aiding us and we gave earnest thanks to God in prayer.
Normandy was the most perilous operation during the war. It had been planned but postponed several times because of inclement weather conditions. The German meteorologists predicted similar conditions for June 6th but, instead, a break in the weather was accompanied by perfect weather conditions that led to the Normandy landing. It wasn't coincidental, it was God and it happened because the nation prayed. Let's review the evening of June 5th, 1944. England 's King George VI went on radio to address his people. It's commonly known that the King was a devoted Christian, it is less well known that he was fully aware of his Israelite roots and his descent from King David, the first occupant of the Throne of David. Here, in part, are some of the King's words. "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; the spirit of the people, resolute, dedicated, burned like a bright flame, lit surely from those Unseen Fires which nothing can quench... 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 for the good cause.That we may be worthily matched with this new summons of destiny, I desire solemnly to call my people to prayer and dedication. .We are not unmindful of our own shortcomings, past and present. We shall ask not that God may do our will, but that we may be enabled to do the will of God; and we dare to believe that God has used our nation and Empire as an instrument for fulfilling His high purpose.."
As an aside, King George's last sentence is reminiscent of his 1922 statement "I am sure the British Israelite business is true. I have read a lot about it lately and everything no matter how large or small points to our being "the chosen race."' In any event, D-Day was successful and it led to the defeat of the German nation. We won, but we knew to whom the credit belonged, it was God who was our deliverer. Speaking of Normandy , President Eisenhower was later to say, "If there were nothing in my life to prove the existence of an Almighty and Merciful God, the events of the next twenty-four hours did it."
You see, the British Commonwealth and America were simply fulfilling their destiny and God was fulfilling His promise of protection to Joseph nearly thirty-seven centuries earlier (Genesis 49: 25). As terrible as the Second World War was, it represented a time of closeness between God and True Israel and it is this bond that has been broken and which is so needed in these days of horrendous distress. The tribe of Joseph is at war again, this time in the Mid-East and the scene is turning very ugly. Is it because we have abandoned God and become immersed in our own mantle of power and pride, our new god?
It has been 60 years from D-Day. Sixty years from the sheer knowledge that it was God Almighty who was in charge of our victory. The pride we had of being victorious over the enemy was inspired by the confidence that we were the soldiers of God, it was a fulfilling pride, a joyous pride, a good pride.
Yet, pride has another side. Dr. Ed Vallowe, in his book "Biblical Mathematics" writes this about the number "60", "Sixty seems to stand for Pride." The image which Nebuchadnezzar set up was SIXTY cubits (90 feet) high. (Daniel 3:1) PRIDE prompted him to erect this image. He dreamed of a great image (Chapter 2) whose head was of gold. Daniel told him that he (Nebuchadnezzar) was that head of gold (Daniel 2: 36-38) This, along with his greatness, filled him with PRIDE, as recorded in Chapter 4: 30, "Is not this great Babylon, MY power, and for the honor of MY MAJESTY." While he was yet speaking a voice came from heaven saying, "O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee." (vs. 3) For seven years he was deprived of his reason and was made to eat grass with the beasts of the field. This was God's punishment upon him for his PRIDE. This record follows immediately after his erection of the great image, SIXTY cubits high..SIXTY is SIX times TEN, the numbers for Satan and the LAW. Satan fills those with PRIDE and boasting who are under the LAW. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what LAW? Of works? Nay; but by the law of faith." (Romans 3: 27) This number (60) is mentioned 14 times in the Word of God""
True Israel has gone away from the pride of being soldiers of God in the Second War to a Pride of Boasting. In everyday affairs, it is visibly evident, but certainly crystal clear in military conflicts, such as Kosovo , Afghanistan and Iraq . How often have we heard such phrases as "shock", "Awe," etc. as our leaders and media boast of our military power and military thrusts? Somehow, we have become accustomed to thinking that our overwhelming power is all we need to carry us through. It's not true of course but as Dr. Vallowe points out, Satan has instilled pride and boasting into True Israel and it is affecting our reason, as the war is turning ugly and seemingly senseless to growing numbers of our brethren. The deception as to the purpose of the conflict, the daily lies, the frightening number of deaths, the growing hatred around the world for Britain and America and the dire consequences it is having on our freedoms should be enough to make us realize the futility of going against God.
We need a break in the weather, so to speak, those perfect conditions that led to the success of Normandy , we need Jesus at the helm once again and we need to break with Satan. Above all, we need leaders who will pay more than lip service to God Almighty. We need leaders who truly understand President Harry S. Truman's words of 1951, "I do not think that anyone can study the history of this nation of ours without becoming convinced that Divine providence has played a great part in it. I have the feeling that God has created us and brought us to our present position of power and strength for some great purpose. It is not given to us now to know fully what that purpose is. But I think we may be sure of one thing.It is given us to defend the spiritual values - the moral code - against the vast forces of evil that seek to destroy them. This is a hard task. It is not one that we have asked for. At times we would like to lay it down. But we need not be afraid if we have faith."
I am sure that the sixty years that divides Normandy and Iraq would greatly shock President Truman.
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