“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves’ whether they are to have any property they can call their own…The fate of unborn millions now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army… Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause and the aid of the Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions.”
These words were uttered by George Washington days before the Declaration of Independence proclaimed America free. As the commanding General of the newly established Army he knew that without the hand and favor of Almighty God our cause would not be won. I would that a man like Washington would rise up again, that with conviction and character would again see the rank and file of national leadership.
I am often asked, “what made the men of the revolution so different?” The answer is not as complex as one might perceive. In fact, the answer is quite simple, trust in God. That is what made them different, it made them bold, it made them…men. They seemingly found a way to tap into that light inside, that piece of man that was made like unto the image of God, they led selflessly with their all their soul. Knowing that the result, be it victory or defeat, would be the result of providence and that whatever the outcome would affect not only their lives but the lives of millions to come.
You may have asked or heard it asked, “what would our founders think if they saw the world we live in today, if they saw America now?” The truth is it doesn’t matter. I think if we are being honest and really want to ask a question that would make a significant view on where we are today we should ask, “what does God think of America today?”
I often think about this very question as I am reading and writing, it is a thought that resonates in my prayer life as well. Sometimes I feel like Abraham before God when Sodom and Gomorrah were on the brink of destruction. “God if I can find 50 righteous…40…20…10….5………….1…” I wonder if we are close to the days of Noah, when God looks down on His people and He himself repents at our creation. It truly seems that at every turn the hearts of more and more American are “on evil continually.” When will enough be enough before we see the great fall? I know, that’s a scary thought. However, most great civilizations only lasted some 200 years. We have surpassed that and it seems that we may be taking it for granted.
Think about the “norms” of society we no longer bat an eye when we hear about gay marriage and homosexuality, pre-marital cohabitation is okay, school shootings are a near-monthly occurrence, abortion is considered a form of contraceptive, we are fighting for the “rightness” of recreational drugs and so on we could go. Think about that for just a moment: that is the world our children are growing up in and for them….IT’S NORMAL! How sad that the works of the flesh are the norm of our day rather than the Fruit of the Spirit?
We call that which is evil, good and we call that which is good, evil. Seriously, what happened to us? We are so comfortable with sin that many people don’t even know what sin looks like! There is hope though, you are that hope. It is up to you to remember God and help others remember Him. The fate of millions both living and not yet born literally depend on it. So let me ask you, do you want to live free or would you rather live a slave and bound to sin? The time is here for you to choose…what will it be?
By Andrew Chavarrilla
