Awakened

The Church can be confident in the Lord, and when there are difficult seasons, that we all will face, we can turn to the Lord and rejoice that He has a plan and will establish it for His glory. Proverbs 28 states:
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

The scene on that morning in April of 1775 was potent with the prospect of conflict.  British soldiers, also known as "regulars," were approaching the hamlet of Lexington, Massachusetts.  Paul Revere had ridden across the countryside to warn the residents and local militias of the impending situation.  And, then, as colonists and those loyal to the crown faced off, a shot fired and the British soldiers attacked.

My wife, Beth, and I stood on the Lexington Green, the site of that conflict, not too long ago during our vacation in Boston.  We visited that site, as well as the Old North Bridge in nearby Concord, typically thought to the be site of the "shot heard 'round the world."

And, there were men of faith who were actively involved in promoting the cause of liberty.  After our visit, I looked into some of these pastors, such as Jonas Clarke.  The Lexington 250 website notes that...

...Influenced by prominent thinkers of the time, including the renowned theologian Jonathan Edwards, Clarke’s theological beliefs began to take shape, molding him into the pastor and revolutionary leader he would become.

In 1755, he was appointed to serve as pastor of Lexington's First Parish Church. The site notes that:

As the winds of revolution swept across the colonies, Clarke’s dedication to the cause of liberty became resolute. A fervent supporter of American independence, he stepped beyond the boundaries of his pastoral duties, immersing himself in revolutionary organizations. Clarke’s involvement in groups such as the Sons of Liberty and the Committee of Safety further exemplified his commitment to the fight for freedom.

The website also says: 

Clarke’s contributions extended far beyond the Battle of Lexington. As a spiritual leader during a time of immense turmoil, he provided moral guidance, nurturing the spirits of the patriots. His resolute belief in the righteousness of their cause inspired the soldiers on the front lines and the civilians supporting the revolution from their homes. The Battle of Lexington stood as a testament to Clarke’s unwavering commitment, and his influence reverberated throughout the American Revolution, igniting the flames of freedom that would shape the destiny of the nation.

Meanwhile, William Emerson, who built the Old Manse in Concord adjacent to the Old North Bridge, the grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson, was also passionately involved in the cause of liberty.  A National Park Service website states that:

Emerson came to the pulpit in Concord barely a month before the Stamp Act, the first major crisis that led to the separation of the American colonies from the mother country. From its passage and through the tense years of the Townshend Duties, the arrival of British troops in Boston, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts, Emerson, an enthusiastic patriot known for his inspirational sermons, fired up his parishioners after each new atrocity committed by the British Parliament. Emerson never wavered in his firm belief that God was on the side of those who opposed British tyranny, no small comfort to the townspeople who looked to religion for guidance and encouragement.

He was an eye-witness to the events at the Old North Bridge, in which British regulars and colonial patriots squared off. He had been involved in providing encouragement for the "minutemen" local militias and became a chaplain to the Provincial Congress. The site also says that, "He met on numerous occasions with General Washington and his troops in Cambridge, and was instrumental in moving Harvard College to Concord for the duration of the British occupation of Boston. In August, 1775, Rev. Emerson left Concord nine days after the birth of his daughter, Rebecca, for Fort Ticonderoga, where he would join the Continental army as Chaplain." However, just months later, in October, he passed away as the result of dysentery.

In the midst of the spirit of Revolution, I believe there was a move of the Spirit of God - these two ministers who were at the center of the impending conflict were part of it. The spiritual fervor was reflected in the words of the Declaration of Independence, as they looked to Almighty God, their Creator, and His Providence to throw off tyranny and to unleash liberty.  There had been a Great Awakening in the colonies in the time period leading up to the Revolution, and spiritual awareness was great.

Around our nation today, we see a cultural awakening has been taking root - a rejection of the things of God and a turning aside of His truth.  Authoritarian leaders, not only in politics, but throughout culture, have decided to shake their fist at Almighty God and to walk in a different direction. But, God still has His people.  

Franklin Graham responded to Elon Musk the other day on X.  Musk had tweeted out: "Unless there is more bravery to stand up for what is fair and right, Christianity will perish..."  Graham wrote:

I appreciate Elon Musk bringing this up—we must absolutely stand strong for what is right. And I believe we must stand for God’s truth. However, I don’t believe Christianity will perish, because Jesus Christ said “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:17-18). He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. He’s alive, and one day, He is coming back. If we receive Him in repentance and faith, we can look forward to spending eternity with Him.

But, while I believe in the durability of the Church, I am also reminded of the words of Judges chapter 2 - following the death of Joshua, we can read: " When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel."  In order to properly face the future, we have to remember our history and the works of God, and recognize the incredible staying power of His Church.