On March 5, 1836, during a pause in the bombardment of the Alamo, William Travis famously drew a line in the sand. He asked his fellow defenders to join him in putting everything on the line for liberty in Texas.
We have a much easier task on March 5, 2024, but the ramifications for the future are no less impactful.
When it comes to choosing a side on an important debate, most politicians prefer to hang back and see where the crowd is going before picking a side. Unlike Travis, they want to be on the “safe” side of every fight.
As citizens, you and I do not have that luxury. As citizens, we are called to a higher purpose.
I want to take you back a couple thousand years and 7,000 miles to the plains of Jericho, where a pivotal question about “sides” took place. After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites camped on those plains in preparation for God’s command that they march on the highly fortified city of Jericho.
Joshua, who had only recently taken over as the Israelites’ leader, was confronted with the sight of a mighty warrior. That he was fearsome is not in question; was this simply an angelic being, or – as many theologians argue – a “pre-incarnate” visit by the Son of God?
Either way, Joshua decided he better be friendly.
So Joshua asks the ultimate whose-side-are-you-on-anyway question: “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” Seems like the right question before a big fight, right?
The response probably isn’t what Joshua was expecting: “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.”
That answer should ring in our ears as loudly as it did for Joshua.
It doesn’t matter if someone is on our side or if we’re on their side. The only question that counts is: Am I on God’s side? It’s a question we should consider daily and prayerfully — but especially as we march to the polls.
In this republic, the citizens are the leaders… Or, we are supposed to be. Our job is to select not strong men who impose themselves on the people, but faithful servants who will be answerable to the people.
Our task is not to pick a winner but to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with someone who will faithfully fight for the republic no matter the cost. We’re all flawed warriors, and, as such, we are not expected to be successful—but, rather, to be faithful.
We must do what is right, regardless of the consequences.
On March 5, 2024, each of us must step boldly and faithfully across the line in the fight for liberty in the Lone Star State.
