A Turtle Named Davy

Read: 1 Corinthians 16:5-13


Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.            
                                                                                             1 Corinthians 16:13 


    My son Jackson found a turtle in our back yard a few days ago; so, along with a couple rocks and sticks, we put the turtle into an old swimming pool. Jackson named him Davy Crockett. It reminded me of the man who stood his ground in the besieged mission known as the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. On March 6, 1836, during the Texan war for independence, Davy Crockett, (along with other notables such as Jim Bowie and William Travis) made his final stand against the Mexican army, led by the dictator Santa Anna. Davy Crockett knew that to stand would almost certainly mean death. He was far outnumbered by the oppressing army, but he knew that he was fighting for a cause that was worth the sacrifice of his life. Colonel William Travis had drawn a line in the sand that, had any man not crossed, he would have been free to leave before he lost his life. Each man stepped over that line, determined to face the daunting foe. As, one by one, each of the 186 friends and fellow patriots fell in death around him, Davy Crockett continued to fight. At last, when he was the only one left standing, he succumbed to death, his body riddled with bullets from the relentless Mexican army.

     You may not be called upon to give your life in defense of Christ, but you are certainly called to stand for what is right. All around us, the relentless armies of the liberal media, false religions, and hate-filled individuals, led by Satan himself, are doing everything in their might to bring down Christianity. As Christians, we make up the only defense on this earth that can stand against the forces of evil. We have a powerful Captain on our side, and that gives us the distinct advantage. So why would we back down? Why would we cower in fear of what these forces may do to us? Why are we afraid to stand up and proclaim the name of Jesus? Why must we be the ones afraid of what we stand for?

     Had Davy Crockett not stepped over Colonel Travis’ sword-drawn line in the middle of that small “fort” to give his consent to stand with the rest of the men, then history would probably never remember his name. It may never be that you have some young boy’s pet turtle named after you, but it is certain that those who stand in defense of the Saviour’s name will be richly rewarded when they finally stand before Him. Don’t back down, don’t quit, and don’t give in until the day you are called Home to be with your Lord.

Quote of the day: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”