Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when thousands of Canadians gave their lives in Normandy, France to help liberate Europeans from Nazi occupation. Here is a summary of that historic battle, as posted in the website of the Canadian Encyclopedia:
“The Battle of Normandy was one of the most important operations of the Second World War. It began the campaign to free Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Canadians played a key role in the Allied invasion of Normandy (called Operation Overlord). The campaign began on D-Day (6 June 1944) and ended with the battle of the Falaise Pocket (7–21 August 1944). Thousands of Canadians fought on D-Day and in the Normandy campaign and over 5,000 were killed.”
It is hard to imagine the terrible conditions that people in occupied countries faced then. Survivors are sometimes reluctant to talk about what took place, because of the emotional strains that they experienced. Sadly, many people around the world today are living in similar situations, oppressed by dictators.
Karen and I have recently read 1 and 2 Chronicles, which includes many passages with many names of Jews. In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah wrote: “A genealogy outlines a clear sense of who lived in what generation and how the generations are connected. A genealogy can be organized in many different ways. In 1 Chronicles, the writer primarily focuses the genealogies on three tribes: Judah, Levi, and Benjamin. Others are listed, but this emphasis puts the readers’ attention on Israel’s first king (from Benjamin), the importance of worship (the Levites), and the tribe in which David and the future Messiah would reign (Judah).
The Bible includes many genealogies, such as those in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, showing the ancestry of Jesus. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9, drawn mostly from the Books of Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers, serve an important function for the just-returned exiles from Babylon, reminding them of their heritage, including the coming Messiah. During the difficult years of exile, the Israelites likely struggled to remember who they were and why they existed. These genealogies spell it out in condensed form.”
Canadians and Americans, as well as Europeans, live in freedom thanks to the bravery of those who fought in the two world wars. In thinking about this, I am reminded that people around the world have a choice regarding their spiritual life. We can ignore what the Bible teaches about God’s love for mankind and His provision of a Deliverer to free us from our sin or we can repent of our sins and receive God’s gift of forgiveness through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, you can do so today. You will enter into a relationship with the Lord that will last forever.
Scripture for the weekend: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:16 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” – Corrie ten Boom
Steve