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In April of 1917 the United States entered into World War I. While all wars are caused by the selfishness of man, the desire of our people as a whole was not our gain. Rather, it was our desire to protect the liberty which God had entrusted to us. And our people responded in great numbers to the request of President Woodrow Wilson to observe a Day of Public Humiliation, Prayer and Fasting on May 11, 1918. He requested our people to:

“…humbly and devoutly…acknowledge our dependence on Almighty God and to implore His aid and protection…with religious solemnity and the offering of fervent supplications to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of our cause, His blessings on our arms, and a speedy restoration of an honorable and lasting peace to the nations of the earth…”

(American Minute by William Federer, April 6, 2015)

Our prayers “were heard and graciously answered.” Few would argue that it was American arms which won the day for liberty in the nations of the earth and brought this mighty scourge of war to an end. And while answered prayer cannot be scientifically proven, an honest analysis of the outcome of battles and their timing can only honestly admit that God’s Hand was evident.

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Between the years of 1730 and 1770 hundreds of thousands of immigrants poured into the United States.  While all the nations of Europe were represented in this sea of people, by far the largest groups were from Scotland and Ireland and came to be called the “Scots-Irish”.  Most came into America through Philadelphia and quickly made their way into the American wilderness.  These were folks used to life in mountainous terrain, and they rapidly settled into the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains.  With no love of the English crown, since they had been oppressed by the English in their native land, they quickly became Americans and identified with the growing movement toward independence.

Their long history of struggling for freedom made them excellent soldiers in Washington’s continental army.  They would figure in key battles throughout the Revolutionary War, often being the group that would turn the tide in battle.  For ages they had loved liberty more than life, fighting to the death for the right to local self- government rather than submitting to London’s bureaucrats.  They would prove to be the moving force that began the British’ downward spiral toward ultimate defeat.

The setting was the border between North and South Carolina.  A mountain ridge, 1,700 feet high would be the stage.  A very proficient British major under Cornwallis by the name of Ferguson was the British commander.  The American command was spread among several local leaders, since the American force was not made up of regular soldiers, but volunteers out of the mountains of the Carolinas, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The date was October 7, 1780.

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In light of the growing threat to the free expression Biblical truth, let us remember those whom God has used in the past, and draw the strength of faith from their stands.  The faith of one, Abraham, was used to save many lives when he attacked the kings who had carried off his nephew Lot and his family.  Though Abraham had only 318 men in his “household army”, God defeated the combined armies of four kings and rescued the captives they had taken, including Lot.  And because of Abraham’s obedience in the face of fear, God greatly blessed him during and after the battle (Genesis 14)!

Gideon, with just 300 men, overcame an army that was “without number” (Judges 6:5):  Demonstrating how powerfully God shows up on behalf of those who trust Him!

Elijah, alone, faced 450 prophets of Baal and challenged the nation of Israel to decide who was God in Israel (1 Kings 18).  Yet God showed up on Elijah’s behalf while there was no move from Baal at all.  The fire of God fell on Elijah’s prepared sacrifice and consumed not only the sacrifice, but the stones of the altar—and the water with which Elijah had drenched the sacrifice.  The nation turned back to God because of Elijah’s stand, and revival came to Israel.  Let us choose to stand with God in this day when the false prophets of abortion and homosexuality scream out their lies— and perhaps, God will grant us repentance and revival.