One of the saddest verses in the Bible is from Judges: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). It’s sad because we know that it signified departure from God’s will, and we also know that the consequences were always defeat at the hands of an enemy. What is the opposite of doing right in our own eyes? Jesus tells us “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built His house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). What is the opposite of defeat? It is victory. And how do we obtain victory? By building our house on the foundation of God’s word.

I recently returned from a trip to several countries in Europe. It was an amazing trip for all the reasons that you might expect–beautiful scenery and so many historical sights. I saw windmills and castles, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque palaces. I really like history and knew that I would love seeing things that I had only read about, buildings that were built as early as the ninth century.

What really struck me, however, was that alongside all those glorious buildings were ugly 1950’s era concrete-reinforced bunker-looking buildings replacing acres of towns that had been totally demolished by the bombing during WWII.  In Nuremburg we drove by the staging ground for Hitler’s Nazi rallies, and we saw where the war crimes trials took place. In several German towns we saw plaques memorializing the former homes of Jews who had been taken to concentration camps, and who never returned home.

We ended our trip in Prague, Czech Republic, probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Like many European countries, this area has been governed under many, many ruling peoples: Slavs, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Magyars, Franks, and Mongols; The Holy Roman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Ottomans and Turks, and the Austrian Empire. It was the Kingdom of Bohemia, then the Czechoslovak Republic. Loyalties were in such disarray that Czech soldiers fought on both sides of WWI. The area was then occupied by Nazi Germany which targeted nearly two thirds of its citizens for deportation or death in order to make room for German citizens. German occupation ended on May 9, 1945 with the arrival of the Allied troops. However, in 1948 the Communist Party took over and Czechoslovakia became a Communist State within the Eastern Bloc.

The country was in turmoil for most of this time.  It was only in November 1989 that Czechoslovakia became a liberal democracy through the peaceful “Velvet Revolution” led by Václav Havel. Since then the country has amicably split into two countries: Czech Republic and Slovakia, and both countries are successful and democratic. As we toured this beautiful old city, we heard people speak of preparing to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of their independence, and that is what really stuck with me, even more than the beauty–the fact that these people have been through so many traumatic changes, even as recent as thirty years ago.

The turbulence was not always ethnic. Jan Hus was a Czech religious reformer who predated Martin Luther by about 100 years. He was burned at the stake in 1450. Catholics and Protestants were in conflict all over Europe, including this area. Now this area, as is most of Europe, is largely nonreligious despite the number of beautiful cathedrals and churches which now function more as museums, art galleries, and tourist destinations. More than half of the residents claim to be nonbelievers.* This compares to the United States where 21% have no religious affiliation (according to a Gallup survey in 2017).

Learning just a little of what the people of this country have been through, in my own lifetime, was sobering. I know there are lessons to be learned. Here are some that I thought of:

1. I am so thankful for the democratic republic form of government of the United States that has remained in place since its founding. Along with that, I am thankful for the peaceful transition of government when we have a change in administration. I tend to take this for granted, but in most of the world this is a time for unrest and potential violence.
2. I am more motivated to want to know more about the current events in the countries around me, and to pray for them. Christians in Europe are a minority, and I fear that they are in jeopardy and need our fervent prayers.
3. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.” (often attributed to Edmund Burke). I am committed to being more firm in my beliefs and to stand up for my beliefs. There is nothing to prevent the United States from eventually going the way of Europe unless we, each of us, is committed to that not happening and to take appropriate action.

I’m not sure what caused all those changes, or maybe the better question is how did this country allow all those changes to occur? Complacency, apathy, fear?? In the swirl of news, fake news, and trash on the internet, I challenge myself and each of us to not look to ourselves or to anyone else as our spiritual leader, but instead always stay tuned in to God, our one true sovereign Lord. Let us be committed to always doing the right thing according to the Scriptures. Let us be strong and courageous, saying with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). I want to thank Gabe Roberson for reminding me that our best next step is to always make the next right decision. Let us strive always for Victory in Jesus, for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, and our world.

In Christ,

Judy

*For more information, read this article from Radio Free Europe entitled “Czech Republic: Hussite Church History Mirrors That of Nation.” (https://www.rferl.org/a/1097922.html)