America 250: Faith in the Founding
America 250
Faith in the Founding, God's Hand in the Plan
Posted June 14, 2026
When Moses led 600,000 men, plus their families out of Egypt (Exodus 12:37), they were trapped at the shores of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his armies in close pursuit. With no way of escape, God made a way. Through one of the most dramatic Divine interventions recorded in Scripture (Exodus 14:19-28), the children of Israel were saved.
The same God who aided His people then has been working on their behalf ever since. America’s founding and Revolutionary War victory also have His fingerprints for those with faith to see.
Cards of Ministry: An America 250 offering
As America’s 250th nears, Cards of Ministry reflects on several remarkable moments from the nation’s founding and Revolutionary War. Whether viewed as coincidence or providence, these events have led many to see God’s hand at work in the birth of the nation. They are remembered here and in a companion series of Scripture e-Cards. You can view or share them at the end of this article, or by clicking the button below.
The Great Awakening
Years before crying “No taxation without representation” and drawing up our Declaration, the American colonists were awakened to the freedom found in Christ and the liberty of conscience He offers. George Whitefield and other Great Awakening preachers taught the need for a personal relationship with Jesus and reminded the colonists that many had come to this continent seeking religious freedom. Many historians have suggested that the spiritual liberty proclaimed by these preachers helped prepare the colonies for the later desire for political liberty. The seed was planted long before the spark of independence was lit.
Our companion e-Card features a Whitefield-like itinerant preacher speaking to a large crowd, his horse nearby, calling listeners to awaken to the freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:13-14 (NKJV) But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
Faith of our (Founding) Fathers
No man is more associated with America's founding than George Washington. Our Washington e-Card is inspired by the familiar scene of his prayer at Valley Forge, but Washington's dependence upon God did not begin during the hardships of war. A prayer attributed to him at about age twenty reveals the faith that marked his life:
"... accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word..."
Whether in youth, military service, or the presidency, Washington consistently expressed his need for God's guidance and favor.
Psalm 145:18 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Stand Firm
The leadership of militia Captain John Parker at Lexington Green is remembered for the courage of a small group of farmers and townsmen who stood before a much larger force of British regulars. Parker is traditionally remembered for the command, “Stand firm.”
The scene recalls other moments in Scripture when God called His people to stand fast and trust in His deliverance. To the Israelites trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses declared:
"And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD... The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'" (Exodus 14:13-14)
Our companion e-Card continues that theme with Paul’s exhortation to believers:
1 Corinthians 16:13 (WEB) "Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!"
Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land
Whether the Jubilee liberty proclaimed in Leviticus 25, the independence declared by the American colonies, the freedom sought by enslaved people, or the liberation of those held captive by totalitarian regimes, all true liberty ultimately has one source.
For more than two centuries, the Liberty Bell has served as a symbol for many causes. Its Scriptural inscription reminds us that perfect liberty comes from God alone, while its cracks remind us of the imperfect and fleeting nature of any freedom guaranteed by men.
Our Liberty Bell e-Card sits against the backdrop of the 13-star flag of the colonies, but reminds us that our ultimate liberty comes from God.
Nearly Over Before it had Begun
Less than three months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington and nearly 9,000 Continental troops found themselves trapped at Brooklyn Heights. Defeated at the Battle of Long Island and facing a force more than three times their number, the Americans had only one avenue of escape—the East River.
Gathering every available boat and maintaining strict secrecy, Washington began ferrying his army to Manhattan under cover of darkness. Yet as dawn approached, thousands of soldiers still awaited evacuation, and discovery by the British seemed certain.
Then, like an ally, a dense fog settled over the river and the remaining troops. Hidden from the enemy, the evacuation continued until every soldier had crossed safely. Washington himself was among the last to leave. The Continental Army had escaped intact and would live to fight another day.
Coincidence or Providence? Washington later reflected:
“Glorious indeed has been our Contest... but in the midst of our Joys, I hope we shall not forget that, to divine Providence is to be ascribed the Glory and the Praise.”
— George Washington, letter to Rev. John Rodgers, June 11, 1783
The Race to the Dan
Short of men and supplies with which to engage the British further, General Nathanael Greene led his contingent of the Continental Army on a strategic retreat toward the safety of Virginia. In hot pursuit was General Charles Cornwallis, determined to destroy the remaining southern American force.
As the Americans retreated northward, they came to the Catawba River, swollen but passable. They crossed safely. Hours later, heavy rains transformed the river into an impassable torrent, halting the British pursuit. Cornwallis nearly overtook Greene at the Yadkin River, but once again winter rains raised the waters after the Americans had crossed. Finally, at the Dan River, Greene ferried his army safely into Virginia. Soon afterward, rising waters again prevented Cornwallis from following.
British General Henry Clinton later described these events:
“Here the royal Army was again stopped by a sudden rise of the waters, which had only just fallen (almost miraculously) to let the enemy over.”
Skilled generals and battle-hardened soldiers planned, marched, and persevered through the campaign, but was it coincidence or providence that three rivers allowed the Americans to cross to safety before becoming barriers to their pursuers?
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Unless the LORD Builds the Nation
By 1787, the infant United States was struggling under the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island did not attend) gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles and strengthen the nation.
For months, the convention was marked by disagreement and deadlock. Delegates from large and small states, northern and southern states, often found themselves sharply divided. Yet through debate, compromise, and perseverance, the convention gradually moved beyond merely revising the Articles and began crafting an entirely new system of government.
As the delegates struggled to find common ground, eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin rose and delivered one of the convention's most memorable addresses. Reminding those present that God had guided the colonies through the Revolution, Franklin asked whether they had now forgotten that dependence:
"I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men."
Our Franklin e-Card depicts the rising sun carved into George Washington's chair and features Psalm 127:1:
"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."
Franklin's appeal for prayer was not merely a request for divine favor, but a reminder that the nation they were attempting to build would ultimately stand only if God blessed the effort.
One Nation
The Founders not only secured liberty for future generations—they spoke candidly about what would be required to preserve it. God's Word confirms it.
As delegates departed the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Philadelphia socialite Elizabeth Willing Powel reportedly posed a simple question to Benjamin Franklin: "Well, Doctor, what have we got—a republic or a monarchy?" Franklin's famous answer has echoed through the centuries: "A republic, if you can keep it."
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." — George Washington
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams
Proverbs 29:2 (WEB) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
2 Peter 1:5-8 (WEB)
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All According to Plan
Seemingly impossible.
Highly improbable.
Yet America was born 250 years ago.
When the colonists, tired of tyranny and thirsting for liberty, declared independence, they knew they were facing the strongest military and navy on earth. They could see their paltry treasury, understocked armories, and the divisions among themselves, but did they see the hand of God in their efforts?
Our brief walk through some of the events of the day and visits with a few of the major figures of our founding show many sought God’s direction and help in this grand endeavor. The many amazing events, circumstances and outcomes that stretched even the most generous definition of the word ‘coincidence’ were seen by many of them as His providence.
God’s Word tells us He is sovereign above all:
Daniel 4:17 (WEB): “‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’
Job 12:23 (WEB): He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.
Romans 13:1 (WEB): Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
As Americans, we can count our blessings and give thanks to the One who still today has our fortunes in His hands. All the while, remembering that no government of man is forever, but there is one government that will be:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (WEB): For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
America was born 250 years ago.
An everlasting Kingdom is coming.
God has always fulfilled His plans and promises, and our future is in His Hands.
Hallelujah and Amen.