Thought for Today
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.
Psalm 119:55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.
Matthew 16:9 Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
This morning, First Parish Church of Newbury hosted “Messenger/A Moment of Resolve:/Reenactment of the Dedication Service/as the Quebec Expedition Embarks/with Reverend Samuel Springs.” This was a commemorative service marking the 250th anniversary of that expedition to Quebec. The service was part of Newburyport’s Road to Revolution Continues, Newburyport250,org.
This year and next, the U.S.A. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the events leading up to and resulting in the foundation of our nation. Given the plethora of changes around our globe during my own lifetime, the rise and fall of many nations, the revolutions, name changes and governmental changes, celebrating a 250th anniversary seems quite an accomplishment.
I must admit that it did feel a bit [awkward (?) odd (?) uncomfortable (?)] participating in a worship service oriented around launching a military expedition aiming to capture a city through armed struggle. Yet, there can be no question of the authenticity of that service this morning. There are historical records. The sermon offered by the person portraying Rev. Springs was based on the actual notes left by Rev. Springs. There are historical records of the entire expedition.
Although the expedition was unsuccessful, at least one positive result did occur from the entire event. From the bulletin for this morning’s service, “The sermon leaves such a deep impression with the townspeople of Newburyport that members of the Third Religious Society (North Church) invite Reverend Spring to lead their church. Following his patriotic service, Reverend Spring returns, answers the call, is pastor of North Church for 42 years, until his death in 1819.”
We will all read and hear much this year and next about the founding of our nation. For many of us, memories from our primary educational years will be reawakened. Hopefully, for every Christian, a renewed sense of the intimate connection between our faith and our nation will ensue. Maybe we will recall those words ““We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Preamble to the Declaration of Independence” (www.archives.gov)
We are currently a divided nation. It may be lost in our patriotic fervor during all these celebratory events, but we were born as a divided nation. Not every inhabitant of those colonies supported independence. There were loyalists and rebels. There were honest, faithful Christians among both the loyalists and the rebels. Even the enemy, the Redcoats, were Christians.
The Bible includes records of many wars, battles, and armed conflict. The prophet Samuel even wrote, “2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah.” Sadly, modern ‘advances’ in warfare have enabled us to ‘go out to battle’ in every season. Even more sadly, that verse is the opening verse in one of David’s least faithful endeavors.
This morning, and every morning during our 250th anniversary as a nation, we must remember the connection between our faith and our patriotism. Irrespective of the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment of our Constitution, we are a nation founded in and formed by faith in God. In our current divisiveness, we must always be aware that there are honest, faithful people on ‘the other side’ of the divisions. Despite the eloquence of Jefferson’s words, the self-evidence of our beliefs may not be as clear as we sometimes believe.
This year, and always, we need to remember the words of my dear, departed friend, “We need to listen, listen, love, love.” To which I can only add, “Amen!”
Stay safe, listen, love, trust God,
Pastor Ray