CONQUERING AND VICTORY

I Was Just Thinking About – CONQUERING AND VICTORY.

When I was a young boy, World War II had begun in Europe and soon enveloped other nations that became Allies of the British Empire. Nazi Germany had become a powerful nation with a well-discipline army. The German Allies were Italy and Japan. The war impacted Americans as rationing became immediate and Air Raid Drills were regularly conducted. Black Shades were to be on the windows and the upper portion of headlights on vehicles were to  be painted Black. Rationing of that which we take for granted today was imposed and enforced. Food was rationed, as was gasoline, tires and other rubber products. Automobile factories were retooled to make tanks and planes (and whatever else was required for a military success). 

There was a sense of patriotism and a need to sacrifice whatever was required for the War effort. United States Savings Bonds (War Bonds) were promoted and people were encouraged to invest in their country. In the Public Schools, it became possible to purchase a “War Bond” in small increments until the full purchase price had been reached. It was with a sense of pride when the Bond Value had been made and the Savings (War) Bond was in hand.

On June 6, 1944, the Newsboys walked the streets and with as shrill a voice as they could muster would cry out: “Extra! Extra! Read All About It! D-Day Invasion Has Taken Place.” Newspapers were the primary source of information and people eagerly gave their Nickel or Dime so they could “Read All About It.” Of the 16 million young men who had enlisted in the Military, there are now only 500,00 who are still alive today  - most of them in their mid to late 90s. Some have gathered at Normandy, France on this 75th Anniversary of D-Day. The ceremony is held at the Cemetery where 9,388 American soldiers are buried (almost one-half of them killed on D-Day).

A year later (1945) there would be news of victory on what became known as V-E day (Victory In Europe) and V-J day (Victory In Japan). I was not yet a teenager but I was impressed by the spontaneity of celebrations and Block Parties because Victory had been achieved and the enemies had been defeated. There were parades up and down the street. There was no end to free Pizza and Beverages available – all to celebrate an enemy conquered and a victory secured.

There was another D-Day more than 2,000 years ago. The death of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sins was, at the moment, seemed to be a major defeat and a victory for the Satan and his minions. But – that was on a Friday – Sunday was coming. The Tomb where Jesus had been placed was suddenly opened, Jesus Christ walked out of that Tomb in triumph and victory. He conquered death and hell once and for all. This is still the message of hope and Victory for all who will believe. Jesus had said (John 8:36), “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Paul boldly wrote and proclaimed, First Corinthians 15:54-57, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Galatians 5:1 (NLT), he would also write: “Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free.”

Question: Where is the voice raised in the streets today: “Extra! Extra! Read/Hear all about it"? Why is there silence where there should be the voices that declare: ‘Come to The Son – He will make you free indeed’? Fanny Crosby wrote a powerful Hymn – Victory Through Grace – that expresses:

Conquering now and still to conquer,
Who is this wonderful king?...
He is our Lord and Redeemer,
Savior and monarch divine…

Yet shall the armies Thou leadest,
Faithful and true to the last,
Find in Thy mansions eternal
Rest, when their warfare is past…

Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift is the race,
Yet to the true and the faithful
Victory is promised through grace.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.