It was 65 years ago today (about two generations as the Bible reckons them) that American and Allied troops hit the beaches of Normandy in Operation Overlord, what is now called simply D-Day.  It was an incredible logistical undertaking in sheer numbers of troops, ships, tanks and planes.  It was a costly undertaking, with high casualties, especially on Omaha beach.  We must also not forget that it was a risky undertaking, with no guaranty of success and potential disaster on failure.

Often we look back through history and almost wonder how generations past could have worried, or been afraid about events that “of course” were going to turn out right.  D-Day is one of those events.  It is unfathomable to us how D-Day could have failed.  And yet, but for the Providence of God, it would have failed.  We need to remember that not only to honor the brave men who fought that day, but so that we trust all our own “risky business” to the Lord of the Universe.  He who ruled the beaches of Normandy just as surely now rules the mountains of Afghanistan, the board rooms of Wall Street, and the City Halls around the nation.  Be of good cheer, Christian, for come what may, the Lord reigns.

The next time that you are tempted to despair about the state of the Church especially the state of the Church in America today, remember that God is at work at all times, in all kinds of places, and in all kinds of ways that go unnoticed by us. It is a significant challenge for American Christians (no less than for Americans in general) to think of the world, history, and life outside of our own experience. We assume that everyone prospers when we prosper; that everyone struggles when we struggle. But the truth of the matter is that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is far bigger than its presence in the United States — even though as a result of the great resources that God has bestowed on us, the Church in America has long supported mission works around the globe.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in China. The church in China continues to grow, in spite of opposition from a hostile and powerful government. The Chinese church is young, vibrant, and committed to the Word of God. But apparently it is also one other thing. I recently read an article that someone mentioned to me about the exploding growth of Calvinism in China. It is a very interesting article, and while it is not (I suspect) exactly correct in all its details, it is informative and encouraging. I invite you to take a look at it by clicking here.

Be encouraged by this excerpt:

If she goes to preach at an official church, she says, “There will be perhaps 1000 people and 95% of them are over 65. So it’s a sunset church. But if I went to house church – there would be 1000 people; perhaps 20 of them in their 50s, and all the rest are youngsters. The older ones will all be professors at the universities. So these are the future of the churches. They have registered pastors, and no access to seminaries: But they have youth, and future, and money.”

“Very soon”, said Dr Tan, “Christians will become the majority of university students … that could happen”