Are there striking similarities to our situation today?
Guest Opinion
War was declared in Europe in September 1939 after the German conquest of Poland, but for the next six months (October 1939 through March 1940) no land operations were undertaken by the Allies or the Germans, and the term “phony war” was coined by journalists to derisively describe what was happening.
After the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, there was a period of panic as many predicted this would turn into World War III. After all, we had a European war in Ukraine, tensions in the Pacific over China and Taiwan, and the threat of attacks on Israel from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria. In addition, the threat of nuclear weapons being used by Iran, Russia, Pakistan, or North Korea had the world on edge.
Both events, the “phony war” and the attack on Israel, took place prior to elections being held the following year in the US: 1940 and 2024. Both Great Britain and France were recovering from devastating losses in World War I. Over one million combat deaths in France, and over 740,000 in Great Britain. Almost all of the Allies in Europe had no desire for war. Over 15,000 Americans have died fighting Middle East wars at a cost exceeding $4 trillion. The thought of a larger war spreading worldwide at each moment in history was appalling.
Another similarity between America now, and Great Britain then, is that both had weak leadership at the head of the governments. Neville Chamberlain, who advocated appeasement for peace, would resign in April 1940, and the King and party would then choose Winston Churchill to lead the country.
Churchill took office at a critical time when the “phony war” was over. The German forces were overtaking Europe, and France was collapsing, and pursuing peace. Churchill was faced with a British Army of over 100,000 men trapped in France, and the very real threat of invasion of England.
When the British headquarters contacted one of their commanders in France for a status report, he responded with three words: “But if not.” They knew exactly what he meant. It was a biblical reference from Daniel 3:17-18. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were going to be thrown into the furnace for not worshiping King Nebuchadnezzar. “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” — New King James Version (NKJV)
Every school boy in England knew that story by heart and how it applied to his character and belief system. The people of England would not bow a knee to a dictator to save themselves. This is where our comparison falls apart. How many school children today would know that story or those words? How many today would even know there is a book of Daniel in the Bible?
The movie about this dramatic event, Dunkirk, and most accounts of it, leave out the most important part of the story. Churchill thought if they were fortunate, they might be able to save 10,000 out of the 100,000 British troops trapped in France. If they were fortunate. The King and Churchill asked the people of Great Britain to pray for God’s deliverance, and the people prayed. You can see the historical pictures of people lined up for blocks to get into Westminster Abbey, but this was happening all over Great Britain. People reported going into churches at all hours of the day and night, and seeing people laying prostrate on the floor calling out to God. The story of Dunkirk is a miracle of God. Over 198,000 British troops, and 140,000 Belgian and French troops were saved.
This is where the comparison ends. Will the future of America be one of repentance and acknowledgment of God? In the United States today, President Biden has presented weakness in world affairs and encouraged bad leaders around the world to take action. Polling in the US shows more every day that the people long for a strong leader, and Trump may now be elected in a landslide next year.
Will the people of America turn to God and claim II Chronicles 7:14? “… if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV)
Is it too late for our country? Will we turn back to our Creator and the One who had a hand in the founding of our great country? I implore you to pray for the United States, and for peace and freedom for the world. It starts with each of us.
