“Remember Your Alamo”

By Del Duduit

A few weeks ago I was in San Antonio to cover the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four for Athletes in Action. On Friday of the weekend, I had about an hour to spare, so I ventured down the Riverwalk and made my way to the Alamo, which was only a couple of blocks away.

The story of the Battle of the Alamo is inspirational and was pivotal in the Texas Revolution. The event was also monumental in American history and for Christians. Intrigued now? Read on.

As the dawn approached on March 6, 1836, the Mexican army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, stormed the Alamo, a small mission church in San Antonio, Texas, and launched attacks to take over the compound.

The Texans held off the first two attempts but could not withstand the third assault.

There were about 180 brave Texans inside the tiny fort, and they were no match for the 1500 Mexicans who engulfed the Alamo. But the Americans did not die without a valiant fight.

According to records, the Texan soldiers killed about 600 Mexicans in the battle. All Americans inside the Alamo were killed that day, including co-commanders James Bowie and William Travis. A young man named Davy Crockett died there too.

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Word quickly spread the Alamo had fallen into the hands of the Mexicans, as they tried to take over Texas. The brutality of the battle also enraged many others to join the cause.

Farmers, businessmen, settlers, and ranchers felt a calling to join the Texas army and fight for freedom. The next month, Santa Anna and the Mexican army were killed and defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto which ended the revolution. Santa Anna’s brutality wound up being his downfall.

I love Johnny Cash’s haunting ballad song Remember the Alamo.

Although men died trying to protect Texas from thugs and murderers, the defeat sparked an eventual victory for the Lone Star State. The attack prompted people to “remember” and fight for liberty.

As a believer, we must never forget the battle Christ fought and won for our spiritual freedom.

He died a brutal death, and his body was placed in a borrowed tomb – perhaps you could refer to it as an Alamo.

His barbaric death and victorious rising more than 2,000 years ago sparked a revolution against the devil that is still alive today.

The painful way He died combined with how He rose from the dead should inspire us every day to cherish and honor our own freedom from sin.

Is there something in your past that holds you back from following the Lord?

Do you have an Alamo?  Do you have a place in your life where the devil has attacked you? Some may not have had battles, but odds are, most have.

Remember, at one time you were — and maybe still are –the focal point of an attack from Satan. There may have been times when defeat seemed imminent, but word spread and people became inspired to fight for you.

Prayers went up for you, and loved ones battled the forces of evil on your behalf. You may not even know who all went to a prayer closet and called your name out to God.

Do you have an Alamo?

Maybe alcohol was your tiny fort. Perhaps gambling was your church mission. Maybe sin had control of your life, and the devil attacked until he took over your soul.

Maybe confusion, bitterness, hatred, lust or false idols is your Alamo.

Hopelessness and fear were all around during the attack. Remember?

But on the third day, Christ rose and gave you victory from death, hell and the grave. Travis, Bowie, and Crockett gave their all for Texas in a small mission building in San Antonio, while Jesus gave his life for you on a cross on Calvary.

The difference is Christ rose from the dead and offers you life everlasting.  The only thing you have to do is accept the gift and live for the Lord.

“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for thee.” GALATIANS 2: 20

Never go back to those sinful ways, but recall the pain and destruction it caused. That should be enough to keep you on the road to follow the Lord.

Then recall how loved ones, or maybe it was a pastor or a prayer warrior, went to battle for you and helped you reestablish yourself. Remember? Remember your own Alamo. Out of initial defeat can come spiritual victory. Remember the Alamo!

If you feel like sharing, I’d like to hear about your Alamo. Where have you come from, and what battles have you faced?

Remember the Alamo – Remember the cross — and remember, He can win your battle for you.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.