“What was the most consequential battle in world history?” There are many good answers for this question. I choose the Battle of Vienna in 1683. It was fought by the Holy Roman Empire against the Ottomans. The battle is often seen as a turning point in history. “Don’t freak out” is advice that those within the walls of Vienna could have used.
Do what you can; trust God for the rest.
The world is full of dangerous calamities. There is no point in pretending everything is just going to be fine. Yes, everything happens for a reason, but not always a good reason. Yet, Jesus tells us don’t be “alarmed,” or “Don’t freak out.”
Recruiting Poster
I recently read this question in a Bible study: “Are you on the front lines in the defense of Christianity, or has your love for God grown cold?” Wow, really? Does Christianity really need to be defended? That question sounds like a recruiting poster for the war against the Turks in the battle that saved Christendom in 1683. The Great Siege of Vienna was the historical culmination of the Turks’ long struggle against Christian Europe.
The Turks assembled the largest besieging army ever. Within the city walls, the choice was surrender or be ruthlessly slaughtered. Vienna was the door to Central Europe. If it fell, the Turks would likely conquer all of Europe. Our history would have been very different.
Winged Hussars
The hero of the defense of Christendom was the Polish King John Sobieski. He led the largest cavalry charge in history with 18,000 winged Hussars. They charged down the hills and broke the Turkish siege. The Christian forces had won the battle.
Yet, the call to come to the defense of Christendom was more about kingdoms, culture, power, and money than about coming to God’s defense. God doesn’t need us to defend him. God doesn’t need us to argue his side on Facebook. American prosperity has nothing to do with God’s plan for our world. In fact, our feelings of entitlement can get in the way of doing God’s work. We are no more entitled than anyone else. If we feel we are better than others, we are just the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. We will walk on the other side of the road when we see someone in need. Do you hear Jesus’ voice calling you to be the Good Samaritan?
My Best Advice
Do what you can; trust God for the rest. This is my best advice. Regardless of the calamities in your world, “Don’t freak out.”
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Matthew 24:6
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Anticipate Consequences.