A Remembrance of Providence

July 5th, 2025
by Dr. Ron Harvey

As we enjoy the Fourth of July Weekend and our 249th Independence Day, I thought it might be useful to share with you an interesting tidbit from the historical account of the turning point battle in the Revolutionary War. On this particular day, a Loyalist (British) spy hurried to the headquarters of Hessian commander Colonel Johann Rall carrying an urgent message. (The Hessians were German soldiers hired by the British to fight against the American Colonists). The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, had secretly crossed the Delaware River early that morning and were advancing on Trenton, New Jersey where the Hessians were encamped. The spy failed to gain an audience with the commander and so, instead, he scribbled his message on a piece of paper. The note was delivered to the Hessian Colonel, but since Rall was in the middle of a poker game, he stuffed the unread message into his pocket. A little while later when the guards at the Hessian camp began firing their muskets in a futile attempt to stop Washington’s army, Rall was still playing cards. Without time to organize, the Hessian army was captured and the Colonists triumphed. The battle occurred the day after Christmas, 1776, giving the Colonists a late Christmas gift and their first major victory of the war. It was a turn of fortune in battle and one which would lead to a series of victories enabling the Colonists to win the Revolutionary War.

The question we have to ask: Was the Colonists change in fortune and eventual victory due to a game of chance? No chance! Instead, it was the outworking of God’s providence. Let this story serve us asa Remembrance of Providence! This nation was given birth and life by God Almighty. The freedom we now enjoy in the USA is a good reason in this season of celebration for us to pause and give thanks to God. So enjoy this weekend with fireworks and celebration—but don’t forget to pause and give praise to God for the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron