Our Help is in the Name of the LORD
On Independence Day, our family happened to read Psalm 124 in our morning devotions. We could hardly believe how perfectly it fit the occasion!
As you read the chapter, relate it to these historical facts:
1. God protected the armies under George Washington by sending a heavy fog to allow them to escape from Long Island.
2. The taking of the British Fort Ticonderoga is an example of God fighting for us. Ironically, the gate was left open and as Ethan Allen rushed in leading his American troops, the guard’s riffle failed to fire at point blank range! Within minutes Captain Delaplace surrendered the fort to the Americans.
3. Amos Fawnsworth, a militiaman wrote: “About fifteen of us squatted down in a ditch on the marsh and stood our ground. Notwithstanding the bullets flew very thick, there was not a man of us killed. Surely God has a favor toward us….thanks be unto God that so little hurt was done us, when the balls sung like bees round our heads.”
4. God used the weather to play a large role in Washington’s surprise attack at Trenton on Dec. 25, 1776
5. It was the direction a horse chose at a split in the road that revealed Benedict Arnold’s treason, saving West Point and Washington’s life.
6. It was an unbelievable French navy victory and a miraculous and sever weather change that prevented both victory and retreat for the British at Yorktown, ending the war.
The American Militia was not in control of the fog… or the flooding… or the direction of the horse… or the miniature hurricane at Yorktown. Even Clinton, the British commander-in-chief of Cornwallis was forced to acknowledge the intervention of Divine Providence.
Psalm 124
1. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3. Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
That is truly is amazing, Michael. I didn’t read the Psalm for the day on the 4th so thanks for filling me in. I love American history because of the ways God so clearly demonstrated His power therein.
Powerful! May we never allow our lives to become so busy that we fail to notice the all present hand of God in our midst. You all have encouraged me. Thank you for taking the time to relate the truths of God’s Word to America’s Providential history.
What a great post Michael! Those are great stories. I like how that Psalm fits so well! Praise the Lord.
Isn’t that just like the Lord to give us His reminders and encouragement at the perfect time. A miracle is:
A natural or supernatual event with precise timing that brings glory to the Lord.
God bless America.
We were all amazed on Independence Day morning as we read the Psalm and realized how perfectly it fit the day. We immediately decided it would make the perfect post for the 4th – except that we had work to do outside and didn’t think we would have time to write it up. The Lord must have thought it was important, though, because the rain wouldn’t let up, giving us all the time we needed! Praise the Lord! (Thanks for your help, Esther – I was surprised that you put the post in my name because you actually wrote it – I just suggested the outline and helped find the info.)