A Closer Walk

A CLOSER WALK
Greg Worthen

This coming Thursday, November 23 is the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our country has chosen to set aside to offer thanksgivings and prayers to Almighty God for all that He has done for us and for our country as well. In 1789 both houses of Congress requested that then President George Washington issue a proclamation asking his fellow countrymen to do the same. He says this much more eloquently than I ever could so here is his Proclamation. By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. New York 3 October, 1789.
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
“Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon usand also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.”
“and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.” Go: Washington. (sourced from founders.archives.gov)
What a Proclamation! I believe that we could make a case that George Washington was the most important veteran who ever lived. He led the Continental Army to victory over the Superpower of the time Great Britain. This allowed our nation to separate from them and become an independent nation. After serving as Commander of all Continental forces he then presided over the Constitutional Convention. Kind of a big deal; produced our Constitution. Then when it was time to elect our first President the entire nation looked to him to fill that position. It would be fairly easy to make a case for Washington as the most important American who ever lived. Did you know there is a statue of George Washington standing in Trafalgar Square in London, England. Also 22 other statues of him standing in 22 different countries around the world.
You see, the Lord God Almighty provided Washington to our country. The Founders called that, “Divine Providence.” I would leave you with this, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance," Psalm 33:12 NASB. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!