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by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
What is thanksgiving but the offering of praise to God for all His wonderful acts towards us who believe? Indeed, it is a mark of a darkened heart made foolish by ignoring God's works that does not give thanks to God.
If there were two things that helped the Pilgrims survive not only their journey to America but their first year in it, it was that their hearts had been enlightened by God's Word and made wise to know to seek Him when they were in great peril.
The following article was taken from "Eye Witness to History", a web site devoted to publishing eyewitness accounts to key events in world history. The author is not specified.
The Pilgrim's journey to America began in 1608 when they were forced to leave their native England for Holland. Their Puritan religious beliefs were in conflict with those of England's Anglican Church. As the Anglican Church and the monarchy of King James I were one, the Puritan's opposition could be interpreted as treason; consequently, they felt it prudent to leave the country.
By 1620, the Puritan's experience in Holland had gone sour and they returned to England with the objective of making passage to America.
Problems plagued their departure from the start. Leaving Southampton on August 5 aboard two ships (the Mayflower and the Speedwell) they were forced back when the Speedwell began to leak. A second attempt was thwarted when the Speedwell again began to leak and again the hapless Pilgrims returned to port.
Finally, after abandoning the Speedwell, 102 Pilgrim passengers departed from Plymouth aboard the Mayflower on September 6. The intended destination was Virginia where they planned to start a colony. After a journey of 66 days they made landfall at Cape Cod near present-day Provincetown - more than 600 miles off course.
William Bradford was a prominent member of the expedition and would soon be elected governor of the Plymouth Colony. He kept a record of the journey and we join his story as the Mayflower sails out of Plymouth: (The Old English of the original account has been modernized)
"...they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued several days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet according to the usual manner many were afflicted with seasickness.
And I may mention here a special work of God's providence. There was a proud and very profane young man; one of the sea-men, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be condemning the poor people in their sickness, and cursing them daily with grievous execrations, and told them, that he hoped to help to cast half of them over board before they came to their journey's end, and to make merry with what they had; and if he were by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard. Thus his curses fell on his own head; and it was an astonishment to all his fellows, for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him.
After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather, they encountered many times, crosswinds, and met with many fierce storms, with which the ship was thoroughly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky; and one of the main beams amidships was downed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage. So some of the chiefs of the company, perceiving the mariners to fear the condition of the ship, as appeared by their mutterings, they entered into serious consultation with the master and other officers of the ship, to consider whether to return, rather than to cast themselves into desperate and inevitable peril. And truly there was great distraction and difference of opinion amongst the mariners themselves.
But in examining of all opinions, the master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm underwater; and for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam into its place; which was done. The carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck, and other ways bound, he would make it sufficient. And as for the decks and upper works they would caulk them as well as they could, and though with the working of the ship they would not long hold firm, they would be safe as long as they did not over-stress her with sails.
So they committed themselves to the will of God, and resolved to proceed. In many of these storms the winds were so fierce, and the seas so high, as they could not bear a knot of sail, but were forced to heave to [face into the wind to stop the ship], for many days together. And in one of them, as they thus lay hove to, in a mighty storm, a strapping young man (called John Howland) was, with a lurch of the ship thrown into the sea; but it pleased God that he caught hold of the ropes which hung overboard. He held his hold (though he was many feet under water) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boathook and other means got into the ship again, and his life saved.
(Note: Descendants of John Howland - the man who fell overboard - include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, both Presidents George and George W. Bush, poet Ralph Waldo Emerson and actor Humphrey Bogart.)
In all this voyage there died but one of the passengers, which was William Butten, a youth, servant to Samuel Fuller, when they drew near the coast. ...after long beating at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod: they were not a little joyful! After some deliberation amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they resolved to sail southward to find someplace about Hudson's river for their habitation. But after they had sailed that course about half a day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers, and resolved to bear up again for the Cape, and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them.
Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof."[i]
Think of the testimonies of God's loving protection, goodness, faithfulness, and providence that were born out of this incredible journey. And this was just the beginning. There were more perils to come, especially since they had landed in November and had only the provisions they had carried with them with across the sea. The record of unrevised history is that they believed they survived the journey only by the providence of God and their first harvest was worthy of a Thanksgiving feast to celebrate with their newly acquired native friends.
All of us are on a pilgrimage, looking forward with Abraham to "city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Heb 11:10
Let me help you form the content of what could be several themes you can use to testify to God's presence and providence in your life. The world needs to hear from us how our walk with God has led us to peace that indeed defies understanding except it be connected to His love, goodness, faithfulness, and His willingness to exercise His power and strength to sustain us on our life's journey. What He's done for us He is prepared to do for all who would seek Him.
I. Let Us Testify to God's Love.
A. He loved us enough to give us His son,
Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
B. He loved us enough to base our salvation not on our own righteousness, but through Christ,
Titus 3:3-5 (NIV) 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
C. He loves us enough to call us His children,
D. He loves us enough to keep us,
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II. Let Us Testify to God's Goodness.
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever." (2 Chronicles 7:3)
A. His creation was good,
Genesis 1:31 (NIV) 31God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
B. His works toward us are good even others mean us harm,
Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV) 19But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
C. His promises are good,
Joshua 23:14 (NIV) 14"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled;
D. His gifts to us are good,
James 1:17 (NIV) 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
E. His news to us is good,
Acts 13:32-33 (NIV) 32"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33ahe has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.
F. His purposes for us are good,
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
III. Let Us Testify to God's Faithfulness
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
A. God testified to His own faithfulness, Exo 34:6-8.
Exodus 34:6-8 (NIV) 6And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." 8Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.
1. In His love for us
2. In His forgiveness of our sins
3. In His judgment of the wicked
B. Scripture testifies to God's faithfulness
1. To His holiness, Deu 32:4
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) 4He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
2. To His plans for us,
3. To keeping us until Christ comes,
4. To provide a way to endure and escape temptation,
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
IV. Let Us Testify to God's Power and Strength
(Psalm 21:13) Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.
Can you say with Paul that during your most trying times that . . .
17The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:17-18 NIV)
Remember when you feel like giving up, that is when we need to remind ourselves of these incredible promises from God.
A. The Lord has promised to stay by our side, Mat 28:19-20.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
B. The Lord has promised to give us strength,
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
C. The Lord has promised to deliver us from every evil attack, even if He has to bring us to heaven to do it,
Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV) 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
ADDENDUM
An essay posted by foospro86 on November 22, 2007 on "Conservative Colloquium:
An Intellectual Forum for All Things Conservative"
On August 1, 1620, the Mayflower set sail. It carried a total of 102 passengers, including forty Pilgrims led by William Bradford. On the journey, Bradford set up an agreement, a contract, that established just and equal laws for all members of the new community, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Where did the revolutionary ideas expressed in the Mayflower Compact come from? From the Bible, and this is what's not taught. This is what's left out. The Pilgrims were a people completely steeped in the lessons of the Old and New Testaments. They looked to the ancient Israelites for their example. And, because of the biblical precedents set forth in Scripture, they never doubted that their experiment would work. But this was no pleasure cruise, friends. The journey to the New World was a long and arduous one. And when the Pilgrims landed in New England in November, they found, according to Bradford's detailed journal, a cold, barren, desolate wilderness. There were no friends to greet them, he wrote. There were no houses to shelter them. There were no inns where they could refresh themselves. And the sacrifice they had made for freedom was just beginning. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims – including Bradford's own wife – died of either starvation, sickness or exposure.
When spring finally came, Indians taught the settlers how to plant corn, fish for cod and skin beavers for coats. Life improved for the Pilgrims, but they did not yet prosper! This is important to understand because this is where modern American history lessons often end. Thanksgiving is actually explained in some textbooks as a holiday for which the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians for saving their lives, rather than as a devout expression of gratitude grounded in the tradition of both the Old and New Testaments. Here is the part that has been omitted: The original contract the Pilgrims had entered into with their merchant-sponsors in London called for everything they produced to go into a common store, and each member of the community was entitled to one common share. All of the land they cleared and the houses they built belong to the community as well. They were collectivists! Now, Bradford, who had become the new governor of the colony, recognized that this form of collectivism was as costly and destructive to the Pilgrims as that first harsh winter, which had taken so many lives.
He decided to take bold action. Bradford assigned a plot of land to each family to work and manage, thus turning loose the power of the marketplace. … Long before Karl Marx was even born, the Pilgrims had discovered and experimented with what could only be described as socialism. And what happened? It didn't work! Surprise, surprise, huh? What Bradford and his community found was that the most creative and industrious people had no incentive to work any harder than anyone else, unless they could utilize the power of personal motivation! But while most of the rest of the world has been experimenting with socialism for well over a hundred years – trying to refine it, perfect it, and re-invent it – the Pilgrims decided early on to scrap it permanently. What Bradford wrote about this social experiment should be in every schoolchild's history lesson.. If it were, we might prevent much needless suffering in the future. Here's what he wrote:
"The experience that we had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years…that by taking away property, and bringing community into a common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing – as if they were wiser than God. For this community [so far as it was] was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense…that was thought injustice."
That was thought injustice. Do you hear what he was saying . . .? The Pilgrims found that people could not be expected to do their best work without incentive. So what did Bradford's community try next? They unharnessed the power of good old free enterprise by invoking the undergirding capitalistic principle of private property. Every family was assigned its own plot of land to work and permitted to market its own crops and products. And what was the result? "This had very good success," wrote Bradford, "for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been."
In no time, the Pilgrims found they had more food than they could eat themselves. … So they set up trading posts and exchanged goods with the Indians. "The profits allowed them to pay off their debts to the merchants in London. And the success and prosperity of the Plymouth settlement attracted more Europeans and began what came to be known as the 'Great Puritan Migration.'"[ii]
For more information, go to these web sites:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/mayflower.htm
[i] "Aboard the Mayflower, 1620," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2004).
William Bradford's account appears in: Davis, William, T. (ed), Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646 (1908); Morrison, Samuel Eliot, Builders of the Bay Colony (1930).
[ii] Posted by foospro86 on November 22, 2007 on "Conservative Colloquium: An Intellectual Forum for All Things Conservative
