The Pilgrims and President Lincoln

“What is the valley you are walking through? What is the injustice you are facing? No matter your situation, there is reason to give God thanks.”

During America’s bloody civil war, while tens of thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers were dying on battlefields, President Abraham Lincoln looked through the haze of war and still saw the good in America. In October 1863 he drafted a proclamation that still affects us 161 years later. He etched out the divine blessings our young nation still had, even in the face of deathly division and the evils of slavery. He wrote, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.” Therefore, he stated, “I…invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” (Image from forchristskingdom.com)

Finding good and giving thanks to God in the face of darkness, evil and anguish? How could Lincoln think in such a manner? American history shows it was not unique to him.

King James ruled Great Britian in the 1600s, leading the world’s second most powerful nation. They had an established state church, The Church of England. King James demanded loyalty to it and stomped out any who refused to conform. Therefore, non-conforming religious groups like the Pilgrims, were persecuted by their government for worshipping outside the state church. Many were imprisoned, fired from their jobs or denied employment, constantly watched by authorities and harassed at every turn. This led many families to flee their homeland, and eventually they learned about the New World across the seas, where they hoped they could find the freedom they so desperately sought.

A group of Pilgrims boarded The Mayflower to begin a treacherous voyage of faith. After two months on the seas, the 102 people sailed into Cape Cod Bay, arriving on the shores of what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts, in November 1620.

Before anyone disembarked the ship they drafted a governing document, The Mayflower Compact, that was rooted in their worship and service of the Lord God, “Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents [that is, by this legal document and charter] solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic…”

The Pilgrims faced dangers in their homeland and on the seas. And even though they had a strong faith in God, when they stepped off The Mayflower and onto the beaches of the New World, they faced dangers there too. Within a few months half of their group had died due to lack of food and shelter, disease, sickness and the unrelenting winter conditions.

However, the sovereign hand of their Lord God was sustaining them. Squanto, a native Indian, watched their battle to survive, and eventually came to their aide. Through his guidance and friendship, the Pilgrims learned how to hunt, fish and live off the land, which helped the group of 51 to survive.

The following year, in gratitude toward God for their survival, Governor William Bradford declared a Day of Thanksgiving should be held. Squanto and his tribe came, and a multi-day celebration took place.

The Pilgrims and President Lincoln called for a day of Thanksgiving toward God while in a season of great trial. The Bible says, “I will sing aloud of your steadfast love…you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.” (Psalm 59:16-17) What is the valley you are walking through? What is the injustice you are facing? No matter your situation, there is reason to give God thanks.

A prayer for you – Lord God, help us to see you in the darkness. Help us to see your goodness in the face of the storms that surround us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There Will Be No Cowards in Heaven

“There is never justification for being a

 coward. Never!”

“Hey son, can you go to the refrigerator and pour your little brother a bottle of milk?” For a moment there is silence, then the response, “But daddy, it’s dark in the kitchen.” Fear of the darkness. Intimidated by bullies. Defeated by failure. Troubled by a tough teacher. These are challenges common to many children. They are also teaching opportunities, when wise parents can introduce their children to the character virtue of courage. (Photo from iStock)

There was once a man whom God appointed to be the spiritual, political and military leader of Israel. However, he struggled with fear and God knew it, so He told him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

According to the Bible, courage is the inner strength to be resolute and steadfast in face of difficulties. Joshua never led a nation before, and enemies were all around wanting to destroy his people. He needed courage to conquer his fears and carry out what he was divinely appointed to do.

Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

When you are wrestling with a major decision that faces the realities of potential failure, financial loss, job loss, relationship estrangement, slander, imprisonment, physical harm, or even death, there is good reason for pause. However, despite the fear of potential demoralizing consequences, there is never justification for being a coward. Never!

The opposite of courage is cowardice. The word appears only once in the Bible, in its last book, where God says in the firmest language, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7)

Why does God emphatically condemn cowards? First, because it brings people to give into their fears, allowing feelings, emotions, their circumstances and other people to control them. Consequently, they engage in groupthink, going along with the crowd while being afraid to step out of line, ask questions, push back or push forward. Second, because it is a form of selfishness that excuses loving others as oneself because of fear.  

Due to fear of potential church division, a pastor does not help his congregation understand what the Bible says on controversial issues. Due to fear of retaliation, an employee does not confront her boss with unethical things he is doing in order to help save his job and protect the company. Due to fear of rejection in the community, a dad who sees a pornographic book his middle schooler brought home from the school library, refuses to say anything to the principle.        

Notice God’s simple formula to Joshua for being courageous. 1) You have been commanded by God. Meaning, you have an obligation to do what is morally right, despite your fears. 2) Acknowledge and face your fears. Be honest with God, yourself and others. 3) Fix your eyes on God and stop being paralyzed by your obstacles. If you have trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior, then turn your eyes toward Him. Believe you are not alone, and that you have His wisdom and power to face whatever is before you.

Jesus is the prime example of courage. In His journey to the cross He bravely faced all the powers of hell, His enemies calling for His torturous death, rejection from His friends and the curse of sin which He took upon Himself. He never quit, and three days later rose again from the dead.

A prayer for you – Lord God, we confess our cowardice in letting our fears control us. We admit they have kept us from doing what we know we ought. Help fix our eyes upon you and overcome our obstacles. Make us into a people of courage, just like Jesus. In His name. Amen.      

The Big Red One and The Battle for Freedom

“Why do we need a military filled with our best and brightest? So we are always ready to defend our Land of Liberty from our enemies, both from abroad and within.”

“The Big Red One” is the nickname for the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, the first and most storied and decorated division in the Army. The “BRO” is routinely the first division sent into war settings. They saw their initial action during WWI in 1917, and were also ordered to serve in WWII, Vietnam, The Balkans, Iraq and in the War on Terror. (Image from 1st Infantry Division Facebook Page)

The Division won America’s first victory in WW1 at the Battle of Cantigny in France, pushing back German forces at the cost of over 1,000 U.S. soldiers. There were also incredible acts of valor on the battlefield, resulting in five members receiving the Medal of Honor, which is the military’s most revered award for combat. One of those recipients was Sergeant Michael Ellis.

Machine gun nests were a continual threat to troop movements, consequently soldiers were needed to scout them out and eliminate their operators. Sergeant Ellis volunteered for this dangerous role. According to an official military report, on one occasion “he single-handedly advanced under heavy fire and captured 27 prisoners, including 2 officers and 6 machineguns, which had been holding up the advance of the company. The captured officers indicated the locations of 4 other machineguns, and he in turn captured these, together with their crews, at all times showing marked heroism and fearlessness.”

Why do we need a military filled with our best and brightest like Sergeant Ellis? So we are always ready to defend our Land of Liberty from our enemies, both abroad and within. President George Washington, who also led America’s Continental Army said it best, “to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual ways of preserving peace.”

There would never be a need to take up arms if it was not for one thing: the evil in men’s hearts. Never has there been a war, which first did not start in the hearts of men. Hate, greed, pride and dangerous lusts for power have all driven men to throw their youths on the anvils of death. President Regan once stated the somber realities of war as “…the stark truth of suffering and sacrifice and the slain promise of youth.” And President Thomas Jefferson once eloquently declared, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance,” and that vigilance is seen through a military constantly in training and always prepared.

However, is one truly free simply by living in a land of freedom?

There are millions of Americans exercising their freedoms day by day, yet are ruled by a tyrant and evil dictator. It is the curse of sin within them. They are controlled by their foul lusts, deceptive selfishness and blind pride. Their indwelling enemy has taken them unknowingly down a path of captivity.

There is only one man, who can set them free. Only He can rise to their aide and deliver them. Who is He? Christ the King! He declared of Himself “…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Jesus faced the enemy of men’s souls’ eye to eye, and crushed his head. He took the whole world upon Himself and fought an unseen spiritual battle that determined to enslave the souls of the entire human race. How did He combat this most powerful threat? He laid Himself down on an old wooden cross. He sacrificed Himself, shed His blood and lay in a grave. Then on the third day He rose, conquering death.

Jesus, one man, took on the whole world – and won! Now he comes with the spoils of victory offering you freedom. Today, turn from your ways and call upon Jesus, and you will be set free. Or if you choose, you can remain in your enslavement and one day face the King’s judgement.

A prayer for you – Lord God, we thank you for the men and women that have given their lives in defense our nation. We invite your protective hand upon America. Help us to walk in your ways and to be a people whose hearts have been set free by the King of kings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.