6/29/2020
Desk of Dennis Piller
D Day – General Eisenhower – Spiritual Battle – Part 1 of 2
Prior to the allied forces invasion of Normandy, also known as D Day, General Dwight D Eisenhower sent the following message to his troops:
“Soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the allied expeditionary force. You are about to embark upon a great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes 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 people of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely…
I have full confidence in your devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking!”
That invasion changed the tide of the war. But what if? What if, it had not gone well and the day was lost? Doesn’t fear or anxiety often hinder us from taking a bold step forward? Aren’t we concerned about what other people might think about boldly proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ and that He is the only way, the only light, and the only truth?
How often do we err on the side of not wanting to be confrontational about our faith and in so not wanting to overstep, we step really short or not at all? Am I preaching to someone else or do you see some kind of truth on how this applies to your life or the instruction that you might share with your spouse or your children or your close friends?
So what if the invasion had not gone well? What if they had failed instead? The General had considered that, in agony, over the weeks and days prior to the day. In fact, the evening before the invasion he wrote a brief note accepting full responsibility for the failure of the operation should the day be lost. But thankfully we know of the note but it was never delivered because we succeeded!
We as Christians and disciples of Christ have more in common with General Eisenhower than we think. The truth is, we know that we are in a war – an explosive conflict- in which the stakes are incredibly high. And we know, the enemy is well trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened. One that will fight savagely at every turn in an effort to destroy you and your family. AND we have spurts of fight in us. We have moments that we dig in, but consistently we often fall short because we get distracted by the world and its challenges and its treasures. And we grow weary in the fight… slack off… give up some of our holy ground… and I hate to say it, become some degree of lukewarm. If you fall one degree off of boiling water… it will never boil.
Matt 14:22-33 tells the story of Peter walking on water but then witnessing the storm around him began to sink. He cried; Lord save me! Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, why did you doubt? Peter was in a battle of his senses… what he saw… what he believed. Jesus had told him to come… but… when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink!” We know the feeling. We know he has called us. COME. We have at times stepped out of our comfort zone into the dangers of the unknown, knowing he would catch us if we fell. And he has, but how hard is it for someone to pick you up when your own hand is not outstretched. You think YOU have this. Forgetting without the power of the Holy Spirit we have nothing! Tomorrow part two as we take on spiritual warfare.
Dear Lord help me to stay focused. Help me to keep my eyes on you and the victory you gave to me. Help me, by your Holy Spirit, to not let go of that fact… that truth… that freedom, for me and my family and for my county. Help me begin my day with you, help me to live with you in mind throughout my day.
Bring the rain Mercy Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kseRKxkq5iY
