Whose victory?

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6. 12

Another of Paul's memorable one-liners that Christians quote to remind ourselves to avoid getting caught up in worldly conflict!

However, these spiritual struggles have a nasty habit of spilling over into real life, in a way that cannot be ignored or avoided. The eruption of Nazism in Germany during the 1930s is one example. On this occasion religious leaders had no qualms in encouraging believers to take up physical arms as well as the spiritual armoury which Paul is about to enumerate in his letter to the church in Ephesus.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of that conflict we refer to as the Second World War. It is fitting that we observe the occasion, both in its poignancy and in celebration of our liberation from a great evil. It should be remembered that many Germans opposed Hitler and his fanatics; many more were swept along in a national momentum to which we are all vulnerable and therefore their experience should stand as a caution to us all.

I believe that crucial to the success of the campaign of resistance which our forebears in this country led, is the prayers which were expressed by everyone from the King in Buckingham Palace to those serving on the front-line in Europe, Africa and Asia - and in the skies and on the high seas. These prayers were not for personal or material gain but in order to take the fight to where it originated: in the heavenly realms.

As we continue our struggle against the invisible enemy of Covid 19, let us pause a moment in grateful memory of our deliverance, drawing inspiration from those who lived faithfully then and made sacrifices for our benefit. Then let us ask what great cause we must rise to now and what resources we may bring to bear for the sake of future generations. Most importantly let us draw strength from the one who won our ultimate deliverance on the cross of Calvary and in whose service ultimate victory is assured!