In October of 1835, the oppressive Mexican government sought to disarm the Texan city of Gonzalez.  Now, Texas' war for independence had not begun yet, but both sides knew it was coming, and Gonzalez is arguably the moment when the Texans crossed the point of no return.  Mexico sent troops to Gonzalez to seize a cannon that they feared would be used against them as they further oppressed and stripped the rights away from the Texans, who might dare to defend their God-given rights.  The Texans flew the "Come and Take It" flag over the little town of Gonzalez, and made a stand against the Mexican enforcers.  The Mexican troops didn't yet have the stomach for the fight, and were repulsed by the band of Texans. I related this story to my wife yesterday (she's not from around here), when we passed a business flying the flag.  As we drove on, I kept thinking about it, thinking about the way those men refused to allow an oppressive government to tell them that they did not have the right to defend themselves.  We should have the same steadfastness when it comes to every right that God has given to His people.  Please don't take me out of context.  The Bible is very clear in 1 Peter 2:11-16:  "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.  Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice but as servants of God."  I'm not talking about being a "Who cares about you?  It's my right to do this!" kind of Christian.  What I am talking about is being like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I'm talking about how those men honored the king because they honored the Lord.  I'm talking about how those men respectfully chose the One God, when the king made them choose.  I'm talking about telling the king the truth in love.  I'm talking about being a man in a kingdom of boys who throw temper tantrums when they don't get their way.  (That one should sound familiar.)

When any president or other governor who imagines himself a god even suggests that our God-given rights are anything but God-given, "Come and Take It" is a correct response.  When any authority seeks to tell us how or whom to worship, "We have no need to answer you in this matter" is a correct response (Daniel 3:16).  When any culture tries to tell you where, when, what, and if you are allowed to pray, "let it be known to you...that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the...image which you have set up" is a correct response (Daniel 3:18).  If any power tries to tell you that you must affirm or participate in the so-called "marriage" of members of the same sex, under penalty of law, "zeal for Your house has eaten me up" is a correct response (Pslams 69:9, John 2:17).  When this world dictates that Sunday no longer belongs to the Lord, that families don't have time to be together anymore, and that your children are not yours to raise, discipline and teach, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" is a correct response "(Joshua 24:15).  At the end of it all, Daniel was able to say "I was found innocent before [God]; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."  (Daniel 6:22)