Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated as a holiday as we integrate more Mexican-American’s into our population. It memorializes Zaragoza’s 1862 stand against the French. Today also celebrates other historical battles and events. In 1215 rebel Barons renounced King John of England which set off the events leading to the Magna Charta. In 1260 Kublai Khan became the ruler of the Mongolian Empire and commenced his ruthless expansion. In 1866 America celebrated its first memorial day and in 1877 Sitting Bull led his tribe into Canada to escape the Cavalry’s pursuit. In 1916 US Marines invaded the Dominican Republic, In 1945 the Jews in the Mauthausen concentration camp were freed by American soldiers in Austria, and in 1980 The British Special Air Service stormed the Iranian embassy in London after a six-day siege. Today encapsulates the struggles of mankind and his warring nature.
War is a reality in today’s world as it was during the writing of the Bible. It’s so prominent that we even see in Revelation 12:7 a passage concerning war in Heaven. Christ prophesied of “wars and rumors of war” (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7) during the last days. If you read closely, you discover that He is referring to the frequency and intensity of the wars, as the end nears. With that in mind, it is appropriate to consider how we are to react as this prophecy is fulfilled. With hijackings, the proliferation of suicide bombers and the arrest of Americans for conspiracy, few citizens feel completely safe from terrorists – no matter where they live. Since 9/11, war is no longer isolated to some foreign nation with the US battlefield exempt. But we can have security, that’s a promise and here’s how.
Christ’s foundation for a no stress life is at the end of the same Matthew and Mark passages. He says it is part of the process: Relax and don’t focus on God’s job, but ours. Paul builds on that foundation in 2 Timothy 2:3 – 4 when he tells us to have a warrior’s mindset. “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.” So, as a civilian, where is your “fight?” Paul explains in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” So plainly we are not to focus on “worldly wars” but the everyday spiritual wars we face. Relax; do your job, not God’s.
You are guaranteed peace (generally) during troubled times in 2 Corinthians 13:11b: “Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” Then in Romans 16:17, 19 – 20 you are directed how to avoid stress and gain peace in the process: “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. . . I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” If you have any doubt left, listen to this: “the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” Both your personal and world peace is guaranteed. Take a deep breath when you read or hear the news. You’re another day closer to peace.
Love Dad