It had been many years since I'd seen the 1969 movie, The Battle of Britain. A ‘who's who' of British actors (and Canada's
Christopher Plummer) play the roles of the heroic "few" whom Winston Churchill
lauded in his speech on August 20, 1940, expressing the nation's gratitude:
"…to
the British airmen, who undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant
challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their
prowess and by their devotion. Never in
the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
Most of continental Europe had fallen to the Nazis and
Hitler was preparing to launch a full-scale invasion of Great Britain. British fighters had been crossing the
channel to help France stem the tide. Before "the Air Battle for England" begins,
Laurence Olivier (as Hugh Dowding), sends a letter that changed the course of history to the
War Cabinet on May 16, 1940, expressing
It's the signature on the letter that was stirring:
I have
the honour to be,
Sir,
Your
obedient Servant,
H. C. T. Dowding
Air Chief Marshall,
Air Officer Commander-in-Chief,
Fighter
Command, Royal Air Force
Screen Capture from The Battle of Britain
In the summer of 1940, the British had 650 planes, the
Germans had 2,500 aircraft. Dowding,
facing a formidable foe declared that he was "trusting in God and praying for
radar." His faith was strong, but there
was work to do!
As Christians, we live in a spiritual war zone.
Our enemy, Satan, seems to be unleashing his
worst, but our Commander-in-Chief has already defeated him, and death. Jesus has promised to guide us, (Psalm 32:8),
provide all that we need (Philippians 4:19), never leaving or forsaking us
(Hebrews 13:5), making us "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37), and rewarding
all who overcome! (Revelation 3:21).
I have an adopted grandpa who like so many others, lied about his age in order to serve his country in World War 1. Ed Crane was a teenager in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. My father was a paratrooper in the Second World War. I have a young nephew in the U.S. Navy.
All of these men enlisted with enthusiasm and confidence.
You and I have the honor and privilege of divine guidance, presence and provision, with eternal life assured. Because we can trust the King of kings, no matter how things appear, we will
respond to his leading, not just with soldier-like obedience—"Yes, Sir!", but with an
appreciative "Thank you Lord!"
