An American Miracle
After the Revolutionary War, the newly formed country of America was buried in debt. Inflation was skyrocketing. French lenders and Dutch bankers sought prompt repayment of their loans. Men who’d fought and bled in the Continental Army for America were long overdue for their promised back pay. Soldiers protested outside the government hall, and in Massachusetts, a rebellion broke out, proving how weak the new government was.
America was financially unstable, and the Articles of Confederation vested little power in the government to avoid tyranny. The government had no means to tax, make treaties, regulate commerce, raise an army, or defend against a monarchy, but to make any changes to the Articles of Confederation, all thirteen colonies had to consent.
Due to the violence, Congress met in secret to tweak the Articles, only to be convinced by James Madison that they needed a complete revamp. Delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island refused to participate) met in Philadelphia. The vote was split down the middle, and no one was budging on either side.
The circumstances sound familiar to today’s—debt, disagreements, violence, partisan politics that refuse to meet in the middle. So how did our forefathers overcome, and does that mean there’s hope for us?
In the stifling hot room of contentious men with the windows locked so no one could eavesdrop, an eighty-year-old Ben Franklin rose from his chair. Leaning heavily on his cane, Franklin called for a daily time of prayer to invite Providence to aid in establishing a government of men. Psalm 46:1 states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” From that moment on, the atmosphere in the room changed. The assembly couldn’t bring in a pastor or clergyman due to the secrecy of the meeting, but our forefathers prayed and invited God into their situation. With Godly wisdom, our founding fathers birthed a great nation.
When was the last time you invited God into your situation?
Psalm 20:7 declares, “Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Stubborn pride tricks us into believing we can do things in our own strength, but was it David who took down Goliath? Or was it God’s power? Was it Joshua who brought down the walls of Jericho? Or Gideon and his small army who defeated the Midianites?
It was God’s mighty hand.
It is by God’s awesome power that a small conglomeration of colonists fought and won their independence from England, a world superpower. It was by God’s providence that during the Battle of Brooklyn a heavy fog rolled in, delaying the British attack and allowing Gen. George Washington to evacuate 9,000 men across the East River, only to have the fog dissipate immediately once the Continental Army had crossed. It was by invoking God’s wisdom that compromises and solutions were offered, and the American Constitution was ratified. It is by God’s favor that America has made it 250 years, and it will be by God’s grace that America makes it another 250 and more. In our own power, we can do nothing, but with God’s might behind us, we can move mountains.
Happy 250th Birthday, America.
May God’s blessing and favor continue to be upon this great nation!