D-Day and the Great Commission

Today is the anniversary of D-Day. Since I couldn't say it better a second time, here's a re-post of an entry from 2008:

June 6, 1944, is a day that will live in victory. American air and sea forces landed in German-occupied Normandy, and it was a turning point in World War II. Movie makers called it "The Longest Day," and "Saving Private Ryan" caught the grim fates of countless casualties.

Lost in most annual D-Day recollections is the stunning stress felt by Allied Supreme Commander General Dwight Eisenhower as he planned the fateful day. I quote from "D-Day: The Invasion of Europe," published years ago:

On Sunday night, June 4, 1944, the planners of the Normandy invasion met again. A high wind shrieked outside and rain lashed the headquarters windows. In spite of this, the weathermen predicted that the storm was breaking up and that by June 6th conditions would be much improved. While the High Command wrestled with the problem, the convoys were sent out again—subject to recall.

As the final deadline approached, the generals and the admirals had their say; then the meeting fell silent. The final decision and responsibility were General Eisenhower’s alone. At 4:15 on Monday morning he said briskly, "O.K., we’ll go." He had accepted the gamble and chosen to launch the invasion only one day late. Tuesday, the sixth of June, was to be D-Day.

In the nervous hours of June 5th, General Eisenhower prepared for the worst, writing on a slip of paper an announcement he hoped he would never have to make:
"Our landings in the Cherborg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops… The troops, the air, and the Navy all did that bravery and devotions to duty could do. If any blame attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

He shoved the paper into a jacket pocket. He was too busy for the next six weeks to remember the note’s existence. When he found it there, it had become history that had never happened. ("D-Day: The Invasion of Europe," Pg. 26 & 27)

The Lord Jesus Christ, briefing His troops for a world-wide, age-long assault upon the Devil’s territory, pledged Himself to accompany them into battle. "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) and "…lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20) have been at once the Great Commission and the Great Comfort. The disciples had been sent to a task for whose victory the Commander had promised to take full responsibility.

When the great missionary David Livingstone, who explored much of Africa sharing the Gospel, reviewed his success, he affirmed the integrity of His Lord time after time. In his diary, when death lurked near, he quoted the Matthew passage and wrote of the calm and comfort Jesus’ promise provided.

When Livingstone returned to his homeland later the same year, the physical marks of illness and injury obvious, he again spoke of the precious promise of Christ. F. W. Boreham quoted Livingstone in "A Bunch of Everlastings" (Judson Press, 1920). "Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years…? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you even to end of the world!’ On those words I staked everything, and they never failed. ... It is the word of a gentleman of the most sacred honour, so there’s an end of it."

Upon the truthfulness of God’s Word, the success of the Christian mission has always hung.

Dave Virkler