Persistence, Courage, Leadership, & Miracles

Persistence, Courage, Leadership, & Miracles Psalm 33 August 11, 2018 The Story: “Dunkirk” tells the story of a horrible week in May, 1940 when The BIG IDEA: The Bible is full of clear calls to Israel to be the “Light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). God’s plan has never been only to save Israel, but for Israel to bear witness to all peoples, seeing the people come to know and serve the Lord. But sin has led to non-stop wars and conflicts between nations, including the unspeakable horrors of the two world wars. In all periods of history, we see God using leaders for His purposes – sometimes they are godly leaders and at other times He uses ungodly ones. The hope of any nation is not in its military power but in its fear of the Lord. Germany pushed almost the entire British Army and most of the French forces An Important Question for a Christian Studying History: Will God use into retreat, trapping them on the beach at Dunkirk, France. If Hitler’s forces unbelieving leaders to accomplish His own purposes? Does a Prime Minister, a King, a President, or a Dictator have to be a Christian for God to work through them? successfully destroys those armies, he will quickly rule most of Europe and will likely invade the British Isles. “Darkest Hour” covers the political and military decision-making during those weeks as the new Prime Minister Winston Churchill seeks a way to save his army, his nation, and those nations of Europe who are being systematically taken over by Germany. The United States is seeking to “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Proverbs 21:1 (ESV) remain neutral and refuses to give aid. The World-View, Values, and Lessons of These Movies • God is not spoken of much, though that was not the reality in England during these events. • Churchill, certainly proud and self-assured, was more a man of faith than portrayed in “Darkest Hour”. • Again, not in the movies, but King George called the nation to prayer on May 26 (the day before the “miracle of Dunkirk”). • There always seem to be people waiting and watching for personal gain in uncertain times. • Courage is not the absence of fear and is strengthened by having an ally. • • • • A Message to the Nations: Psalm 33:8-21 Psalm 33:8–21 (ESV) 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! 13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; There are moral dilemmas in life when the choices are stark and 14 impossibly difficult. Not all decisions are ethically “black and white” in 15 nature. he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. 16 The pursuit of peace and the necessity of war between nations are The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. unbelievably difficult decisions that should always include every possible 17 perspective in the debate and decision. rescue. A big part of miracles is often tied directly to the willingness of people 18 to risk their own lives and resources to save others. steadfast love, Leadership is often best seen in persistence and courage to continue on 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. in spite of opposition. from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his