The Great Awakening was a time when the people of America developed a renewed interest in God. It began in 1746, in Northampton, Massachusetts in the church of Jonathan Edwards. And it spread like wildfire throughout the thirteen colonies through the preaching of George Whitefield.
George Whitefield was a young evangelist from England, who had perfected the art of open-air preaching. Benjamin Franklin estimated that Whitefield could be heard by as many as 30,000 people at once. He traveled extensively throughout the colonies, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. Tens of thousands of the American colonists heard the Gospel and converted to Christianity.
It was the Great Awakening that ignited the American Revolution. John Adams explained the true meaning of the term “the American Revolution.” He said:
“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations … This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.”
You have to understand that these first Americans were not the colonizers. They were the people who were being colonized. King George III was oppressing them by forcing them to pay exorbitant taxes. So the American colonists declared their independence from England and founded The United States of America.
But King George refused to allow the colonists to be free. Since he controlled the most powerful military force on earth, he sent his army to quell this rebellion. And the colonists had to decide whether to fight for their freedom or surrender.
An American patriot named Patrick Henry urged his countrymen to take up arms against the British. Here are some excerpts from his famous speech:
“Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.”
“Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.”
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God, I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
Patrick Henry revealed the secret of America’s success. It’s our strong faith in God. And he was speaking to like-minded people. After all, these men were the spiritual descendants of the Pilgrims and the Puritans, who were the original settlers of North America.
“Give me liberty or give me death” became the rallying cry of the American Revolution. And Patrick Henry knew what he was talking about. Because there is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.”
So, George Washington took a group of untrained civilians and defeated the greatest military force in the world. How in the world did that happen?
It could only be due to the intervention of Almighty God. He is the author and the finisher of our faith, and the Bible says that he fights for us:
“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4