Our Strength and Shield
THE WAR IN EUROPE IS ENDED!
SURRENDER IS UNCONDITIONAL;
V-E WILL BE PROCLAIMED TODAY
The New York Times headline of May 8, 1945, was emphatic and joyful. The war in Europe was finally over. The victory was won. The celebrations could begin around the world. In England, at this historic moment, King George VI gave a radio broadcast and thoughtfully turned the world’s attention to God and to the obligations of the future. Starting with the words, “Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance,” he called his nation and the world to remember God’s blessing in this great victory:
There is great comfort in the thought that the years of darkness and danger in which the children of our country have grown up are over and, please God, forever. We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will. To that, then, let us turn our thoughts on this day of just triumph and proud sorrow; and then take up our work again, resolved as a people to do nothing unworthy of those who died for us and to make the world such a world as they would have desired, for their children and for ours.
This is the task to which now honour binds us. In the hour of danger we humbly committed our cause into the Hand of God, and He has been our Strength and Shield. Let us thank him for His mercies, and in this hour of Victory commit ourselves and our new task to the guidance of that same strong Hand.501
God’s hand was evident in many events of World War II and in the lives of many who endured it. If we ever wonder if God is still on our side as a nation, we should note the words of one of our great presidents, Abraham Lincoln: “It is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”502
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people.
—Psalms 77:14–15
Allied commanders toast victory. (National Archives)