Use America’s History as Your Weapon
God raised up America for the same general purpose for which He birthed Israel: redeeming the world from Adam’s fall. It shouldn’t seem surprising that God would raise up a nation for this very purpose. Why wouldn’t He? Though our specific role is clearly different from Israel’s - they were destined to be the people through whom Messiah would come to earth - the end game was the same. America’s role is to trumpet the good news (gospel) of the Messiah they birthed. Both nations were called and destined by God to help Him save the world from spiritual death and reunite His earthly family to Himself.
In order to facilitate this holy calling, God was directly involved in the birthing, molding, and shaping of the USA. Obviously, this doesn’t mean He approved of all our actions down through history, such as broken covenants or treaties with the Native tribes, slavery, abortion, and other grievous sins. Yet, in spite of these evils America, like Israel, exists for this redemptive purpose and Yahweh has been involved with us throughout our history. Though America grants freedom of religion to all, this must never alter our identity and does not change our calling. We must never lose sight of our purpose and destiny, nor should we ever apologize for it. America doesn’t exist to further Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any of the other religions of the world. Their followers are welcome here, but these religions are not our identity. We are called by Yahweh, the God of the Bible, to partner with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom the Bible teaches is the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Though we are inclusive, tolerant and welcoming of all, we must never abandon our calling nor forget our rich Christian heritage.
A City On A Hill
From the days of the pilgrims, godly men and women have realized the Almighty was involved in the birth of our nation. They also knew if a nation chose to partner with and honor God, that nation would experience His favor and blessing in extraordinary ways (Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 14:34). The colonial dreamers agreed, believing the Sovereign was, indeed, birthing “a city [nation] set on a hill that can’t be hidden..a light to the world” (Matthew 5:14). They knew of John Winthrop, a leader of the puritan’s Massachusetts Bay Colony, using this verse in his 1630 speech on board the Arbella to describe what he believed God wanted to build in America.(1)
The Founders knew about the planting of the cross at Cape Henry in 1607, and the ensuing prayer meeting dedicating the land to God’s glory. They had read the Mayflower Compact of 1620, stating the voyage was made “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith…”(2) The Founding Fathers absolutely believed America had a God-given destiny.
Throughout our history, America’s presidents and leaders have reiterated this belief. John F. Kennedy referenced Matthew 5:14 and Winthrop’s famous speech, as did Ronald Reagan and numerous other U.S. Presidents. (3) Though modern-day revisionists try to rewrite and remove our history, “the truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may divide it, but in the end, there it is.” (Winston Churchill). (4)
The Declaration of Independence
As our Founders declared their independence from England, they also acknowledged their dependence upon God. The Declaration of Independence, our original founding document, has four clear references to God, speaking of Him as our Lawmaker, Creator, Judge, and Protector. The Declaration concludes with these words:
For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. (5)
After signing the Declaration, some wept. Others, like Witherspoon, bowed their heads in prayer.(6) Samuel Adams rose and stated, “We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and ...from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.”(7) To say God wasn’t involved in raising up America is asinine.
Washington’s Heart After God
These individuals weren’t confused or ambiguous about whether or not they wanted God - the Judeo-Christian God of Scripture - to also be involved in the leading of this nation. Note the God-honoring statement Washington made at his inauguration as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789:
...It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to liberties and happiness of the People of the United States...No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency...We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal result of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained. (8) (Italics mine)
Indeed, there is a history of dependence on God and of His faithfulness toward this nation. Our forefathers were not perfect, but they were God-honoring, and His overruling role in their lives cannot be denied.
John Adams
Bringing the Sovereign into our founding, John Adams said that the day on which the Declaration of Independence was signed:
Will be the most memorable...in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty…
You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not, I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain the Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means. (9)
The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell, which rang on the day of America’s birth, was given its name from the Bible verse inscribed on it (yes, the Liberty Bell contains a verse of scripture): “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10). This verse is taken from the description of the year of Jubilee, which was a prophetic picture of Christ, our Jubilee, who forgave our debts and freed us from spiritual slavery. Just to make sure you get the connection - our nation’s birth was announced under the biblical decree that “Christ is our Liberator and Savior!”
Humanists, atheists, and liberals may not like the facts such as these, but as John Adams once said, “Facts are stubborn things.” (10)
Even our nation’s form of government was taken from scripture. “The Lord is our Judge [Judicial Branch]...Lawgiver [Legislative Branch]...and King [Executive Branch]” (Isaiah 33:22). What a weapon to use when you pray for our government! Decree that God will once again be honored as Judge, Lawgiver, and King.
America’s Colleges
One hundred and six of the first 108 colleges in America were founded on our Christian faith. (11) Students at Harvard were required to read the scriptures twice daily. (12) Harvard’s founders stated, “All knowledge without Christ is vain;” its motto was, “For Christ and the church.” (13) The rules and precepts of Harvard stated that, “Every student shall consider the main end of his study is to know God in Jesus Christ…” (14)
Princeton’s motto was, “Under the protection of God she flourishes.” (15) Jonathan Dickenson, the first president of Princeton stated, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.”(16) They forgot to tell you that in your history class!
Countless other examples could be given. “Under God” is more than a religious quote stuck in the Pledge of Allegiance to satisfy America’s Christian zealots. It is fact...it is our history. We can lay claim to it and, like David, we can war with it.
As you pray for America, declare and decree that we are a Christ birthed and honoring nation. State your faith in the God who keeps covenant and extends mercy (Deuteronomy 7:9). Ask Him to restore our true purpose and calling. Decree that as our Lawgiver, Judge, and King, He will rule our nation. Worship Him as our Founder and Savior.
Refuse to allow lying historians, secularists, and polytheists to steal America’s history and purpose!
Our prayer and decree:
America’s destiny is to be a city on a hill, a light to the nations. We exist for “the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” We will accomplish this.
As our Declaration of Independence states, God is our Lawmaker, Creator, Judge, and Protector. We firmly rely on Him.
“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which we have become an independent nation has been distinguished by Providence.” (8) We acknowledge this.
We were born under the sound of Jubilee. We were born to BE a sound of Jubilee, which is the message of Christ. We WILL do this.
Our education system and colleges were formed for the glory of Christ. With the first president of Princeton we say, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.”(16)
Portions of today’s post were taken from my book Giants Will Fall.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
______________________________
Winthrop, John. “A Model of Christian Charity.” 1630.
Mayflower Compact. 1620.
Kennedy, John F. “The City Upon a Hill.” Speech given at Massachusetts General Court. January 9, 1961, Reagan, Ronald. “We Will be a City Upon a Hill.” Speech given at the First Conservative Political Action Conference. January 25, 1974. Also quoted by Presidents John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton.
The Declaration of Independence. July 4, 1776
Marshall, Peter and Manuel, David. The Light and the Glory. (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1977). p. 307.
Ibid., p. 309.
Washington, George. “Washington’s Inaugural Address of 1789, a Transcription.” National Archives and Records Administration. www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html
Marshall and Manuel. P. 320-311
Adams, John. “Argument in Defense of the British Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials.” December 4, 1770.
McCalman, Allison. “The History of Christian Education in America.” Classroo, 2018. https//classroom.synonym.com/the-history-of-christian-education-in-america-12080826.html
Richard, Carl J. The Founders and the Bible. (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2016). p.16.
Ahrens, Darrell J. Divide Love/Divine Intolerance. (Oakland, OR: Elderberry Press, Inc., 2009), p. 283.
Ibid.
Princeton University. “University Flag, Shield, and Motto.” Princeton University, 2017. www.princeton.edu/~okrour/virtualtour/korean/Info09-Flag.htm
Thwing, Charles Franklin. American Colleges, Their Students and Work. 2nd ed. (New York, NY: G.P.Putnam’s and Sons, 1883). p. 56.
Comments