400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Compact

 November 2020 marks the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Compact in which the early settlers stated the following purpose for the birthing of our nation 'for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith'. This statement was a promise, but it was also a reminder for themselves that if they get lost along the way, they can find their bearings, and make the needed course correction. As the North Star is an unchanging reference point, a point by which sailors used to safely guide their ships, so the essential truth of God's glory, and the Christian faith. Over time, through sinful compromising and complacency - our nation has lost it's way. We can continue our journey off course, but to what end? Getting our bearings and self examination is a crucial first step on our nations journey to a more successful path forward.

This year is the 500 anniversary of the reformation

When you grow something – it requires life, the right amount of water, the temperature light and protection.  It is never one thing – but a series of elements which need to be present to grow and bloom. The same is true the reformation.   Besides the primary need of the blessing of the Holy Spirit – we need a bold reformer that would preach the truth, but we also need a civil magistrate that will protect and promote the true religion.

This year is the 500 anniversary of the reformation.  Particularly we remember Martin Luther’s great bold stand nailing the 95 theses to the wall of Nuremburg.  This was a very important event – but what followed and surrounded this event made reformation possible.   

Let us consider a principle found in the scripture and that is that no great reformation has occurred in the Bible with the cooperation of the civil magistrate in the cause of reformation.   That is what has always accompanied great reformation is the government allowing, protecting and promoting the true religion. 

Let us consider several powerful examples comes from the Bible: 

• the reformer King Hezekiah. Hezekiah carried out reforms to destroy false worship and returned the people back to obeying God’s Word.

• When the repentant king of (a heathen king of a heathen nation) Nineveh called the nation to fasting, prayer, and humility before God.  
  

• Nehemiah a governor, had the city gates closed against vendors on the Sabbath and drove away those which traded along the wall. 

What was needful for the Reformation is that God placed Frederick II of Ernestine Saxony, commonly known as Frederick the Wise in power at the time of Luther’s troubles.   He stayed the hand of Rome by protecting him from assassination and provided a place for the reformation to flourish. 

This is part of what is missing in our day.   We have civil magistrates which declare a false neutrality before God.  They stand before the people like Pontius Pilate, declaring themselves neutral, and washing their hands.   The government can not be neutral - we are either for God for against God.   Since government is ordained by God they are a duty to profess, protect and advance the true religion in their sphere of influence.  

So on this 500th anniversary, please join me in praying that God would raise up Godly preachers and also Godly government leaders which will fear God more than man - and profess, protect and advance the true religion in our day.   

Pray for our Nation

Dear Father in Heaven, we thank you for all the many ways that you have blessed the United States of America throughout history, in spite of ourselves.  We are sorry that we have broke the first commandment by not acknowledged thee, in our founding as we ought.  That we have not walked with you as a nation – and have ignored our duty of establishing and advancing the true religion in this land.  That we have allowed falsehoods and blasphemy to be promoted in this nation.  That we failed to love our brothers – and instead cheated and enslaved them.  That we have been guilty of murder of untold millions of unborn children.  That our leaders in the judicial and civil branches have allowed the destruction of marriage – through the redefining of terms  and thereby warping it’s meaning and holiness.  That we have condoned our youth to live a lascivious life style with has soiled the marriage bed.   Like the young man which took his inheritance and then squandering it with a life of sinful living.  Oh Lord we have sinned and today – we sit in the mud with the pigs.  

 As we have just ending a election cycle which places new people into positions of authority, we lift those people up to you to guide, strengthen and remind them what their job truly is.  That they would know that their job - is to work for you and your glory and the advancement of your kingdom on this earth. Help them to restore the motto, “In God We Trust,” to more than just words, but a way of life. We need you more than ever. Guide us and protect us and strengthen us in that resolve. We pray for the advancement of thy kingdom around the world and the calling of the Jews. 

We ask all this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

— Brian M H