Psalm 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Today, let us thank God that 75 years ago the tide of tyranny was turned.

The remarkable providences in relation to the 6th June 1944 have often been spoken about. One was the weather. The Germans had not expected an invasion. The weather prior to it had been stormy and the predictions were that it would continue so. In their confidence many German commanders, including the normally careful Field Marshal Rommel, had left their front posts. General Eisenhower was responsible for when the invasion should commence. He said about D-Day, “If there was nothing else in my life to prove the existence of an almighty God, the events of the next 24 hours did it.” He knew how the stilling of the storm at the right moment provided that window for the allied landings. He was grateful to God.

King George VI was also grateful. At 9 pm on that night he addressed the United Kingdom, the Empire and North America on the BBC. By that time 150,000 Allied troops had successfully established four beachheads in France. Terrible fighting still lay ahead, but the foothold appeared solid and the first step had been made towards liberating Europe.

The King wished to encourage the nation and to motivate them to continue in prayer. “I desire solemnly to call my people to prayer and dedication. We are not unmindful of our own shortcomings, past and present. We shall ask not that God may do our will, but that we may be enabled to do the will of God: and we dare to believe that God has used our Nation and Empire as an instrument for fulfilling His high purpose.” His heart stirring words concluded with the quotation from Psalm 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”