America: God's Second Chance for Man
Before the United States become the Union it is today, there were many trials, errors, and triumphs. Many Protestants fled England from persecution to Holland. Many people risked everything, including their very lives, to come to a far away land for freedom, hope, and liberty. Many of those people never lived to see the shores of their dream, but I doubt they regretted it.
The first people to arrive were the Pilgrims. We have heard of the pilgrims, but they had actually been here the year before. None of them survived the harsh winter. It was an Indian man named Squanto whom was captured and taken to Spain, then England, and finally back to New England, who would change the course of history.
We have had many attempts at drawing constitutions, and we finally decided on the one which we still use today. Well, we would like to think we do. Its preface is the Declaration of Independence. This led to the Revolutionary War upon which we won our freedom from England. Many would say this is where God is no longer necessary. I would like to show you why that is not true.
I know some people use the Bible to their advantage, or they take a verse out of context. I will try my very best not to do that. As we move forward, however, I will show how His grace has protected and sustained us for all these years.
Between Abraham’s leaving home in obedience God, and Jonah’s refusal to go to Nineveh, we have learned many things that can be associated with our behavior today.
From Abraham we learn that all that bless him will be blessed, and all that curse him will be cursed. This is in reference to the peoples of the world:
What we can learn from Jonah is God’s calling, our disobedience is not unseen, repentance is very full of God’s grace and therefore fruitful. How does this apply to us?
When we first came here to this new land far away from home never to return, it was not without hardship, death, corruption, and God. The pilgrims from which I have written about were also joined by the Puritans. They did not see eye to eye on everything, so they were in separate areas.
The first laws, The Pilgrims Compact, were given in obedience to God. God is the only true human rights advocate. He provides freedom. He creates and He takes away. I do not know why, other than He can. There is always a larger picture than we, in our miniscule eyesight, are able to see or understand. Maybe it is so we can see injustice, and try to right the wrongs. Maybe so we can be grateful for all that we are blessed to have.
In any case, I do not wish to argue those things for which I know not. I would, however, like to explain why I believe America is God’s gift to man. It is also our second chance.
When the Declaration of Independence was written, there were Pastors, farmers, intellectuals, and all sort of a few people who got on their knees and prayed for guidance. They sought God in obedience to His will.
I read a book about John Witherspoon. He was a Pastor who did not want to come to America. He was finally here as a Professor at Princeton. It used to be the University of New Jersey. He was there when they wrote the constitution.
All of this, and much more, gives me hope. Hope that no matter how far we have gone astray, we can always cry out to the Lord, and He will hear our prayers and heal our land. Hopeful that people will see the beauty that is innately abounding. Hope for a new search for truth--and finding that to be God.
Why is it America and not another place? Because America is a celebration of creations that stretch from the plains to mountains to the seas. In each place, and I know because I have traveled from coast to coast-east to west and north to south, you can meet God’s people. They may not know it. They may even be insulted if you told them so! But they are genuine, kind, generous, loving, caring, helpful, thoughtful, interesting people. After a while, they are the same. Just different faces (sort of), different names, but still that “special” Americanism.
As I am sure you have heard, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”? That is straight out of the Bible. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Do not be afraid. Knowing about some things that are good cannot hurt you. It is when you turn your back and walk away you find the trouble. Then you blame it on the One you walked away from. You are always welcomed home. With wide open arms coming running to meet you.
The truth of the matter is this is “Eden.” It is the closest we will ever see it, before that blessed day. Thank you, and God bless everyone’s families and you.
Sources:
The Bible
Life Experiences
http://brownellfamily.rootsweb.com/Pilgrims1.html
http://members.aol.com/RichClark7/pilgrims.htm
The first people to arrive were the Pilgrims. We have heard of the pilgrims, but they had actually been here the year before. None of them survived the harsh winter. It was an Indian man named Squanto whom was captured and taken to Spain, then England, and finally back to New England, who would change the course of history.
We have had many attempts at drawing constitutions, and we finally decided on the one which we still use today. Well, we would like to think we do. Its preface is the Declaration of Independence. This led to the Revolutionary War upon which we won our freedom from England. Many would say this is where God is no longer necessary. I would like to show you why that is not true.
I know some people use the Bible to their advantage, or they take a verse out of context. I will try my very best not to do that. As we move forward, however, I will show how His grace has protected and sustained us for all these years.
Between Abraham’s leaving home in obedience God, and Jonah’s refusal to go to Nineveh, we have learned many things that can be associated with our behavior today.
From Abraham we learn that all that bless him will be blessed, and all that curse him will be cursed. This is in reference to the peoples of the world:
I will make you into a great nationThis refers to America, also. More precisely, American people whom love God are blessed through Christ. Yes. The Jews are God’s Chosen people, and they have their own place in the world. I do not know God’s plan, but I pray they would read the Torah and come to the conclusion I have. If only to save their souls. I will not disregard them as the ones God loves. We must remember: If it were not for the Jewish people, we would not have a Savior! Remember, Jesus is Jewish.
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
Genesis 12:2,3
What we can learn from Jonah is God’s calling, our disobedience is not unseen, repentance is very full of God’s grace and therefore fruitful. How does this apply to us?
When we first came here to this new land far away from home never to return, it was not without hardship, death, corruption, and God. The pilgrims from which I have written about were also joined by the Puritans. They did not see eye to eye on everything, so they were in separate areas.
The first laws, The Pilgrims Compact, were given in obedience to God. God is the only true human rights advocate. He provides freedom. He creates and He takes away. I do not know why, other than He can. There is always a larger picture than we, in our miniscule eyesight, are able to see or understand. Maybe it is so we can see injustice, and try to right the wrongs. Maybe so we can be grateful for all that we are blessed to have.
In any case, I do not wish to argue those things for which I know not. I would, however, like to explain why I believe America is God’s gift to man. It is also our second chance.
When the Declaration of Independence was written, there were Pastors, farmers, intellectuals, and all sort of a few people who got on their knees and prayed for guidance. They sought God in obedience to His will.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up toAll men, whether or not they believed in God the same way or not at all, knew to show respect for the faithful. There was something about the people of faith that drew people to them.
test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to
inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do
you read it?”
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength
and with all your mind;’ and, ’Love your neighbor as
yourself.’ “
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this
and you will live.”
Matthew 10:25-28
I read a book about John Witherspoon. He was a Pastor who did not want to come to America. He was finally here as a Professor at Princeton. It used to be the University of New Jersey. He was there when they wrote the constitution.
All of this, and much more, gives me hope. Hope that no matter how far we have gone astray, we can always cry out to the Lord, and He will hear our prayers and heal our land. Hopeful that people will see the beauty that is innately abounding. Hope for a new search for truth--and finding that to be God.
Why is it America and not another place? Because America is a celebration of creations that stretch from the plains to mountains to the seas. In each place, and I know because I have traveled from coast to coast-east to west and north to south, you can meet God’s people. They may not know it. They may even be insulted if you told them so! But they are genuine, kind, generous, loving, caring, helpful, thoughtful, interesting people. After a while, they are the same. Just different faces (sort of), different names, but still that “special” Americanism.
As I am sure you have heard, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”? That is straight out of the Bible. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Do not be afraid. Knowing about some things that are good cannot hurt you. It is when you turn your back and walk away you find the trouble. Then you blame it on the One you walked away from. You are always welcomed home. With wide open arms coming running to meet you.
The truth of the matter is this is “Eden.” It is the closest we will ever see it, before that blessed day. Thank you, and God bless everyone’s families and you.
Sources:
The Bible
Life Experiences
http://brownellfamily.rootsweb.com/Pilgrims1.html
http://members.aol.com/RichClark7/pilgrims.htm
posted by Rosemary Welch @ 4/21/2005 06:31:00 AM
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