On February 23, 1836,
General Antonio López de Santa Anna's arrive in San Antonio, at a mission that had been turned into a fort, and referred to as "The Alamo". Here, nearly 200 men held off this army for 13 days until the it fell with no survivors. On April 21, 1836 in present-day Harris County, Texas, the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. This battle lasted for a mere 18 minutes, and the Mexican Army was soundly defeated with the capture of General Santa Anna on the following day. The rallying call that day was "Remember the Alamo". In other words, Remember those who laid down their lives for this cause!
Recently with passing of Bishop Kenneth Haney, I can't help but think about all the leaders who have dedicated their lives to this Gospel. Whether it was the early Apostles such as Stephen and Peter, or the modern-day heroes of the faith, Bro. Billy Cole, Bro. Mangun, Bro. J.T. Pugh, and of course Bro. Haney. These men had dedicated their lives to the Gospel, it was not just a belief, it wasn't simply a dream, but it was a whole hearted dedication to the word of God.
Meanwhile as these great leaders have gone on to their eternal reward with Jesus Christ, the battle is still raging. Is there young men and women who will stand up and remember those who have blazed the trail before us? Or will will sit back and watch the battle from a far? Imagine if there wasn't a Joshua to when Moses died? A man who was willing to take a stand and say "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord".
We have great leaders over us, our pastors, our sunday school teachers, our district leaders, and of course the general board. But all the leaders need support much as Moses received at the battle with Amalek. Joshua went into battle while Moses was on the hill. When Moses arms were lifted up the children of Israel would prevail, when his arms were down, Amalek would prevail. However, Aaron and Hur, sat Moses upon a stone and helped him old his arms up until the evening when Israel defeat Amalek. This is an account of the around the leadership rallying around him and "lifting" him up, supporting him and encouraging him as he is interceding for those that are literally in the heat of the battle.
In short, there are three different people that we can become.
1. We can fill the void of the leaders lost
2. We can support our leaders
3. or we can do nothing at all.
Dear God, with the loss of such great men of God as of late, I pray that you continue to lift up new men of God, who are not willing to depart from the old paths that you have laid! Lord, I also ask that you surround these men and women with others of like faith who will hold them up in prayer and in deed. I ask this in Jesus name!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville, United Pentecostal Church
