How did you wake up on Wednesday?
I suspect if you are reading this blog, you awoke to weeping. And, you had good reason to do so. I have been reading Robert J. Morgan’s book, 100 Bible Verses that Made America. Today’s reading was the account of the origin of America’s military chaplaincy. It began with a young pastor, David Avery, who was converted under the preaching of George Whitefield. On April 23, 1775, he rocked his congregation by resigning by preaching on Nehemiah 4:14, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, you daughters, your wives, and your houses.” His sermon stoked the flame of commitment already stirring in the men of his congregation and after the service he and twenty male members grabbed their muckets and headed off to Boston on foot. Avery by his engagement visiting the wounded, encouraging the troops, create the Chaplin’s corp. He served beside Washington throughout the war, returned to the pastorate until he died at 71.
Why did the Bible Make America?
Bible believing people dominated the populace. Puritans by the hundreds populated the terrain and their theology framed the thinking of the populace, even those who disagreed with the details, embraced the framework.
And whence that framework?
The 16th century reformation that flowed from Wycliffe onward blossoming through Luther, then Calvin and Zwingli recovered this glorious truth.
On the cross, before He gave up the spirit, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” The ultimate sacrifice for sin was accomplished by the God-Man. The possibility of sinners being justified by the Judge putting on them the righteousness of Jesus as He had put on Jesus their sin. However, the effective work of the redemption of the world is yet to be fully executed. That is coming, be assured, as displayed in Revelation 19 and 20 to be follow by “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband…Behold, I am making all things new…read the rest of the chapter.
So, why are we weeping this morning?
This morning we may be weeping, but we need to remember, today is the day to read Psalm 30:5. The historical context of the Psalm, many scholars agree, is the Dedication of the Temple Site following David’s improper census of the people, and the severe plague fell upon Israel (2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21). David repented and took responsibility for his sin that generated the days of weeping. As he repented, he wrote, “For His anger endured but a moment, and in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
So, my friends, this election is a call to repentance. Evangelicals of the 20-21st centuries have inherited the reformation stance. I will affirm the Sufficiency of Scripture and therefore, I can pray that God will stay the US from becoming as England and France dominated by violence and chaos, and if not that the eschatology of Revelation 19-21 will come into play which means it may get worst before it gets better, but it will get better because God is executing His eternal plan.
So, what is our conclusion?
Hence, let us join in with David’s assurance, ““For His anger endured but a moment, and in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Let us preach the gospel with the way we live and handle the challenges and let us teach the biblical framework to our children and preach the gospel one-on-one as well as from the pulpits.
And what is our implementation?
Remember these lines from the Battle Hymn of the Republic and think of the retrospect and prospect:
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
And in between, we weep over the foolishness that ignores the retrospect and by grace of God we choose to live to holiness which He has provided and commanded. While in prospect be rejoicing in the victory, He achieved and will complete as He promised the disciples through two white robbed men, who said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into [i]the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
To God be the glory! Great things He has done and will do!
- Robert J. Morgan, 100 Bible Verses that Made America 71-74.
- Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. [Here I stand; I can do no other.] God help me. Amen.
- Public Domain
