Day 76

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” Rev 3:19 NASB.

This story demonstrates why Jesus wants to confront us from love:

The lead elements of the German army crest the hill. Below them lies the Rhine River, deep with runoff from melting snow. Even at this distance, the German troops’ presence violates the Versailles Treaty of 1918. In the turret of the lead tank, the commander halts the column and scans into the distance. The French gun emplacements on the opposing shore remain silent.

The column moves forward slowly, listening for the first sounds of incoming artillery. The tanks make their way down to the waterfront and deploy without incident. Unwilling to start a war, the French do nothing. Only years later, after the end of the war, will the Allies discover Hitler’s secret orders for the troops occupying the Rhine valley on that March morning in 1936: At the first sign of French resistance, the Germans were commanded to beat a hasty retreat.

We’ll never know for sure, but perhaps World War II could have been averted if the French had resisted that day. With his reputation damaged by the fiasco, the generals might not have been so cooperative with Hitler. Millions of lives might have been saved had Hitler discovered in 1936 that he would be held to account for violations of the peace.

Allied leaders feared armed conflict, but they failed to avoid it, it was likely made much worse by their inaction. Neither the German people nor the leaders of their armed forces were prepared for war at the time. Hitler would have been forced to back down. His army at that time was no match for the French alone, much less the combined weight of the Allies. The prestige he gained, the influence with both the German people and the general staff, and the knowledge that the Allies were too fearful to confront him, gave Hitler the opportunity to increase his armed forces, and make several conquests through sheer intimidation. By the time war came, Hitler’s forces were much stronger, and he was able to initiate hostilities at the time of his choosing. Postponing confrontation only made the conflict more severe.