Nearly 400 years ago a group of Europeans landed in Virginia. These Europeans were not slave owners, and held no plans to conquer the continent. Most of them were Protestants escaping the extreme persecution of the church of England. All of them were Christians. Though they held varying theological perspectives they unified, and governed themselves selflessly – as is evidenced by documentation proving they held legal preference to the loca…l Native Americans even against members of their own settlement. (see the original Mayflower Compact)

These were peaceful settlers who sought not for dictatorial rule (indeed, most were escaping the Monarch, King James), but wanted to be a Christian witness to the local natives. After arriving they suffered plagues, hunger, and attacks from violent natives. Winter was coming on and their lack of preperation for the fierce cold saw many of them frost-bitten and hypothermic. Members of their colony were dying daily – dropping like flies; they came to realize it would take a MIRACLE to survive the winter. They began holding prayer vigils, and crying out in desparation to God – for whom they had come to this place – to help them; to save them by some mighty miracle.

Suddenly, when it seemed all hope for God’s intervention – or even their own survival – was lost, out of the woods came their enemies. At first the settlers were wary – would they be attacked? Shot with arrows, pierced with spears, as had happened to others among them? Yet they came to find out that their enemies had arrived to clothe them, and feed them, and to teach them how to survive the bitter winter.

Indeed, God did answer their prayers for a miracle:
‘When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.’ Prov 16:7

I am thankful that all through history God has proven Himself faithful to those who call on His name in a pure heart.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!