Overcoming impossible odds is nothing new. Facing huge challenges that are shaking nations and costing thousands of lives is not novel, though the Corona virus may be. Human history is marked by this kind of crisis and thus far there are reasons why it has always been overcome.
Today, the 6th June, marks the 76th anniversary of the Normandy landings - D-day. Hundreds of thousands of Allied troops hurled themselves against the might of the German army in Hitler's Atlantic Wall. The casualty rate was high, though not as high as that faced by the Allies today in their battle against Covid-19, at least not in the Normandy campaign (one estimate puts it at nearly 37,000 dead amongst the ground forces and a further 16,714 deaths amongst the Allied air forces). The UK has over 40,000 deaths from the virus in the last 3 months alone and the US many more. But, the opposition to the D-day landings was dreadful and seemed impregnable, yet today the remnants of that resistance can be seen broken and rusting in the French (and Guernsey) countryside.
Victory comes at tremendous cost. Yet there are some things that are always needed to secure it. A wartime spirit of unity and self-sacrifice, for instance. An acceptance that my comfort and well-being are not all that matters. A desire for the greater good for all and a willingness to serve rather than to be served. All these were present in Normandy this day 76 years ago and are needed now. But probably the greatest need in our day is for leadership that inspires and perseveres with a clear goal in mind. Winston Churchill was once asked what his plans were. He replied 'Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival'.
Victory came in 1945, a year later. It was at great cost. But we must hold onto the hope and ideal of victory at this time too. Pray for a vaccine to be found. Praise God for every lowering of infection rates, but pray on for complete elimination of the virus. Lift up governments and public health leaders in intercession and prayer. And be prepared for this to take time. D-day led onto a year of fierce combat before VE-day.
The death of Christ at Calvary and his glorious resurrection assures us that the war is won, but the fulfillment of its great victory remains ahead.
