A profound declaration of confidence in God, amidst fear, urging believers to seek the Lord's presence, trust in His protection, and patiently wait on His timing.

The greatest and most influential of the American founding fathers, George Washington was the perfect man to lead the colonial army and serve as the first president. He was a man not given to seeking power and a leader deeply aware of his place in the providential plans of the Sovereign God for human history. America was shaped by his quiet faith and confidence.

The founding of a new nation requires convictions regarding the relationship of a people to Almighty God, a clear definition of justice, and a trustworthy source for determining right actions. The colonial fathers were convinced that God was directing the course of human events and, as a result, they acted with boldness to change history.

Pastor Roger Brumley teaches on Judges 1:1-2:3

In tracing the emergence of religious liberty in America, Joseph Dawson concluded, If the researchers of the world were to be asked who was most responsible for the American guarantee for religious liberty, their prompt reply would be, James Madison.'" However, Dawson continued, "If James Madison might answer, he would as quickly reply, John Leland and the Baptists.'"

Many scholars of colonial Christianity regard Isaac Backus as the greatest spokesperson for religious liberty in America. Arguing that the struggle for liberty of conscience was a fundamental issue of the Revolution, Backus acted in strategic ways that produced two significant freedoms eventually enshrined in the U.S. Constitution-religious liberty and the right to present grievances to the government for redress.

Sydney Ahlstrom refers to the First Great Awakening as “America’s conversion experience.” This profound revival did more to create a single national identity than any military or commercial venture ever could. Thirteen separate colonies would unite under the banner of the United States only after God’s Spirit swept the land and created a bond that had previously been non-existent. Spiritual awakening produces political unity.

William Wilberforce; a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. Through a mixture of grace, faith, and hard work William changed the world by fulfilling his God ordained two Great Objects: the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners. How can we use the example of William Wilberforce to make an impact on our own culture?