George Washington died shortly before 10pm on December 14, 1799. From those present, family and doctors, he died most peacefully even saying he was not at all afraid to die. He was peaceful and without fear or care, and his face radiated a calmness as he approached death.
His life is well recorded with quite a few witnesses sharing their encounters with the general and president, the statesman and even the worker in the field of his beloved Mount Vernon estate. I am aware of several witnesses who shared later and appropriately the special relationship he had with the Lord. A well-known story of his slipping away from his staff and going into the forest to pray in secret. He sought aid and comfort from God personally for his men; he sought Divine Providence for safety and direction through the darkest days of war and tribulation facing his rag-tag forces and the colonies.
Courage is choosing faith over fear when the outcome is uncertain, the road is lonely, and your strength comes from God alone. Washington knew this fact deep in his soul, and it led him through the course of the Revolution when there was no reason the poorly equipped, trained, poorly prepared colonists took on the mighty British Army.
Washington’s humility was quietly evident to many. His father died when George was just 11 years old, and he helped his mom run their farm. Instead of higher education like his brother obtained, he became a great consumer of knowledge thru reading. This accomplishment followed him through life and helped him develop increased listening and decision-making skills. His submission to seeking God’s will for his life and decisions also helped in the development creating a non-boastful servant leader. The photo above showing the general bending his knees in the forest prior to leading his rag tag army across the Delaware was not meant to be recorded. But it was by his Aid when the general went missing from his tent and his senior staff could not find him. Petrified he had been taken prisoner, they fanned out quietly, quickly and most diligently to find their commander. It was an Aid who came upon the general in the forest away from the camp so no one could see, but alas, he was seen. Seeking God’s divine will and direction was a habit for this less than perfect man. He did not walk on water, but he did walk with God.
Becoming President of these United States, Washington knew that as the leader of this new experiment in government named America, the colonies, and he, arrived at this moment because of God’s Hand. He remembered kneeling in the snow prior to crossing the Delaware, he remembered leading an army with many not having shoes or even sufficient bullets to take on the mighty British. Without God’s direction and faith in the same, we risk losing any resemblance of what it means to be One Nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. As the new President of these colonies called the United States of America, Washington knew the critical need to seek God’s direction and counsel, just like he relied upon as the General of the Continental Army.
If God is not part of the natural discussion on moral action and decisions allowing America to be and even remain a light on the hill for other nations to see and copy, then the dimness I already see will surely increase. If God is not part of the discussion as to how we proceed, and our country no longer chooses to submit (means cooperate) with the Lord’s plan, then we will, and I fear already have, convinced ourselves that it is those in power who decide what is right and what is wrong; those in positions of power who decide predicated on personal agendas, desires, ambition and a host of related human endeavors with little regard to how this exceptional nation was birthed.
I believe it was the Lord God Himself who called the founders of this nation to become a “shining light on the hill.” Taken from the Book of Matthew in the Bible, Chapter 5 verse 14, our leaders (and our citizens) were called to inspire patriotism, unity and a sense of purpose, a sense of giving to others among citizens moving to create a more perfect union. I fear so very many in leadership at all levels, local, regional, state and national, have betrayed this covenant, or at least have chosen to go in another direction ignoring what Washington and the founders clearly laid out for all to see and read. I fear that ignoring this foundational covenant is leading to severe consequences.
Do NOT look to Trump alone to be the salvation of America. Look at the corporate will of the people, what is the national will and in what direction is the will of the people moving? Sad to say most Americans are quickly becoming disengaged and self-willed. President George Washington and our founders knew well the verse from 2 Chronicles wherein is described “If My people shall humble themselves….” We need leaders now who will do so. We need citizens now who will do so. Or the “shining light on the hill” will dim if not be extinguished.
George Washington knew what I just wrote well in his heart, as he kneeled in the snow in the forest late at night prior to crossing the Delaware to accomplish something that was in the natural virtually impossible.
BOOK: Our Forefathers Truly Appealed to Heaven - Barnes N Noble, Amazon
WEBSITE: arizonatoday.org
