12 The Southeast Outlook AUGUST 1, 2019 DEVOTION BY JACOB GLASSNER | [email protected] The read “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). reflect I, for one, can’t fi nd on a map, but for there is no other God but Him.” menian dead 3-to-1. the small country in Western Asia holds the The response angered the Persian king, The battle sent a strong message to the Per- distinction of being the fi rst nation to adopt and he dispatched an army of 200,000 men sian king, and though it took 30 more years of as its offi cial religion. to destroy churches and force the resistance, Persia eventually signed a treaty The Armenians adopted Christianity in 301 to comply with his edict. that gave Armenians freedom of religion. A.D., and their faith was tested after coming General Vardan raised an Living in the United States, it’s easy to take under Persian rule about 100 years later. army of 66,000 men to defend the Armenian religious freedom for granted. It’s all most of In 451, the Persian king issued an edict homeland. us have ever known. compelling the Armenians to give up Christi- On May 26, 451, the two armies met in the The Founding Fathers thought religious anity and convert to , a false Battle of Avarayr. freedom was so important that they protected religion that worshiped fi re. Before heading out to fi ght, the Armenian it in the First Amendment to the Constitution, The Armenians issued this reply: “From this soldiers prayed, took communion and recited yet it’s a right that many people around the belief (Christianity) no one can move us; nei- Psalm 23. world do not have. ther fi re, nor sword, nor water, nor any other The Armenians fought bravely and pushed As we’ve seen lately, Christians in Syria horrid tortures. All our goods and our posses- back the Persian army until it sent in war el- have been tortured and killed for their faith. sions are in your hands, our bodies are before ephants to crush the advance. Vardan was With that in mind, take a moment to thank you; dispose of them as you will. If you leave killed as he led a cavalry charge on the Per- God for the freedom of religion you enjoy, and us to our belief, we will here on earth choose sian frontline. be sure to exercise it: attend church each no other lord in your place, and in heaven The Persians won the battle, but it was a week, read the Bible wherever you choose choose no other god in place of Jesus Christ, hollow victory. Persian dead outnumbered Ar- and pray without shame or fear of reprisals. respond Has anyone ever impeded your religious freedom? What did you do? Why do you think the Founding Fathers included freedom of religion in the First Amendment? How can you express your appreciation for freedom of religion?

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