History & The Works of God (Part 2)
Notes
Transcript
Text: Psalm 78:1-8.
Title: History & The Works of God
Last Sunday, we took the time to answer this question...
What is History?
What is History?
History is not simply a collection of facts, dates, places, names, etc.
Noah Webster, again defined history as:
An account of facts…with their causes and effects.
An account of facts…with their causes and effects.
Ultimately, as we considered a number of passages of Scripture, we must come to the conclusion that…
History is “His” story!
History is “His” story!
Again, Rev. S. W. Foljambe, in 1876 stated that history is
“…the autobiography of Him ‘who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will’ (Ephesians 1:11), and who is graciously timing all events in the interests of his Christ, and of the kingdom of God on earth.”
History is not simply the story of one particular nation or nations; it is not simply the story of a particular group of people; it is not simply a collection of facts.
History is the story of God at work in the affairs of mankind and it is the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose and plan.
And, yes, God has a purpose and plan for each individual and fore each nation!
God has commanded us that we remember all that He has done for us as individuals and as nations.
Turn to and read Joshua 4:1-9.
That is the thrust of Psalm chapter 78 (especially as it relates to the generation to come)!
We will not hide them from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the Lord, and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done.
That the generation to come might know [the works of God], even the children which should be born; Who should arise and declare [the works of God] to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments:
Turn to and read Deuteronomy 7:1, 17-24.
Question: Is it a historical fact that Israel came out of Egypt? Yes. Some might try to dispute that fact but it is true none the less.
Question: Is it a historical fact that Israel took possession of the “Promised Land” and dispossessed the nations listed in Deuteronomy 7:1? Yes. Again, some might try to dispute that fact but it is true none the less.
Question: What was the cause of those facts? It was God!
History is “His” story!
History is “His” story!
It should be our desire to make sure that our children - the generation to come - recognizes and remembers what God has done.
For us to do that, WE must recognize and remember what God has done.
As I stated, though, last week, society and culture have diligently sought to divorce the cause - God - from the facts and, as a result they have now begun to change the facts!
Society and culture does not want us - or anyone for that matter - to recognize and remember what God has done!
In 2020, almost 100 Confederate monuments were removed in an effort to “erase” or “change” history in our country.
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/23/970610428/nearly-100-confederate-monuments-removed-in-2020-report-says-more-than-700-remai
However, another monument was put into storage that year. On June 10, 2020, a statue of Christopher Columbus, in Boston, was “beheaded” with the entire statue later being put into storage “…as discussions about the ‘historic meaning’ of the incident and the future of the monument commence.”
https://hyperallergic.com/569756/confederate-monuments-removed/
Then, in an attempt to completely erase the memory of Christopher Columbus from our collective conscience…
On October 11, 2021, then president Joe Biden declared that day to be Indigenous People Day instead of Columbus Day.
Why is this of importance?
As one Christian history textbook states:
As God was working to bring forth the fullest expression of a Christian civilization, Columbus was the individual prepared by God to forge the path to the New World.
God uniquely prepared Columbus for the voyage spiritually, in the field of navigation, and in his own character.
Columbus acknowledged the Hand of God in his Book of Prophecies.
Washington Irving, an American author, wrote The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus which...
…remains a leading, authentic resource based on original source documents. His insights assist the reader in discerning how greatly the discovery rested upon the direction of Providence, the monumental character of Columbus, and the Biblical ideas of men and nations on which the American republic was founded.
What’s interesting is the fact that the world considers Washington Irving’s book, The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus to be historical fiction.
One website states:
It is one of the first examples of American historical fiction and one of several attempts at nationalistic myth-making undertaken by American writers and poets of the 19th century.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_the_Life_and_Voyages_of_Christopher_Columbus
However, Washington Irving also wrote a book about the life of Mohammed and it is considered to be actual history.
What’s the difference between Washington Irving’s The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus - considered to be historical fiction - and his Life of Mohammed - considered to be actual history? The fact that The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus recognizes the hand of God at work in the affairs of mankind!
History is “His” story!
History is “His” story!
Now, last week, I stated that our public educational institutions no longer teach history. Instead they teach social studies.
I then asked if there was a difference between history and social studies.
Consider this…
According to the National Council for Social Studies:
Social studies is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place that prepares students for local, national, and global civic life.
In a 1977 book, Defining Social Studies, written by three social scientists, it was stated that:
…textbooks before 1880 emphasized "moral and patriotic values through historical myths, moral parables, and even religious stories".
According to the National Council for Social Studies, around the turn of the 20th century:
Social scientists found history unable to provide the answers to the complex and difficult problems facing twentieth-century America. The social sciences were increasingly viewed as a vehicle for studying and proposing solutions to the problems resulting from a dynamic and evolving American landscape.
Why is that? Because they no longer considered the cause of history to be God.
In fact, as social studies began to take the place of history, social studies was…
…intended to produce a student inculcated with socially acceptable behaviors and values.
https://www.socialstudies.org/social-education/59/7/social-studies-and-birth-ncss-1783-1921
In view of this, I am reminded of…
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
True history gives us the opportunity to recognize and remember what God has done and to consider what God is doing in the affairs of each individual life and the affairs of each nation in our world today!
As one Christian textbook, that I have referenced already, states:
The failure to teach history produces and irreligious people who attribute all advancement to man’s efforts.
History studied from original source documents enables individuals to see God’s Hand moving to fulfill His plan and purpose and to therefore give God, not man, the glory.
Our founding forefathers recognized the hand of God at work in bringing into existence the United States of America!
On May 8, 1783, just a few months before the end of the Revolutionary War, Dr. Ezra Stiles, the president of Yale College, preached and “Election” message before Jonathan Trumbull, the governor of Connecticut, and the general assembly of the state of Connecticut.
His text for this message was:
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.
In it he proclaimed…
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
We have sustained a force brought against us which might have made any empire on earth to tremble; and yet our bow has abode in strength, and, having obtained help of God, we continue unto this day.…
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
While oppressed by the heavy weight of this combined force, Heaven inspired us with resolution to cut the gordian knot, when the die was cast irrevocable in the glorious act of Independence. This was sealed and confirmed by God Almighty in the victory of General Washington at Trenton…
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
Thus God “turned the battle to the gate,” and this gave a finishing to the foundation of the American Republic.… And who does not see the indubitable interposition and energetic influence of Divine Providence in these great and illustrious events?
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
Who but a Washington, inspired by Heaven, could have struck out the great movement and manoeuvre at Princeton?
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
To whom but the Ruler of the winds shall we ascribe it that the British reinforcement, in the summer of 1777, was delayed on the ocean three months by contrary winds, until it was too late for the conflagrating General Clinton to raise the siege of Saratoga?
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
What but a providential miracle detected the conspiracy of Arnold, even in the critical moment of the execution of that infernal plot, in which the body of the American army, then at West Point, with his Excellency General Washington himself, were to have been rendered into the hands of the enemy.
The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government Political Sermons of the Period of 1776
But the time would fail me to recount the wonder-working providence of God in the events of this war. Let these serve as a specimen, and lead us to hope that God will not forsake this people for whom he has done such marvellous things,—whereof we are glad, and rejoice this day,—having at length brought us to the dawn of peace.
Our founding forefathers recognized the hand of God at work in bringing into existence the United States of America!
As a country, we need to return to the same sentiment that was on display in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, when Benjamin Franklin stated:
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!
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? —We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that, ‘except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.’
I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel:
We shall be divided by our little partial local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages…
Our founding forefathers recognized the hand of God at work in bringing into existence the United States of America!
God is at work, even now, to accomplish His plan.
“What is His plan?” You might ask.
Turn to and read Revelation 19:11-21.
Which leads into Christ’s millennial kingdom. Which leads into…
Turn to and read Revelation 21:1-5.
But just as our founding fathers recognized the hand of God at work in bring our country into existence, we also need to recognize the hand of God at work in our own lives!
But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job recognized the hand of God in his life.
Joseph recognized the hand of God in his life.
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Illustration:
In the mid-1970’s, my parents moved back to Marshalltown, Iowa.
CICA allowed me to start school early.
I started school the same year that SCBC was started - 1977.
God is at work. God is at work in your life.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God is seeking to bring you to repentance. God is seeking to bring you into His family.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
God is seeking to mold you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
God is seeking to use you to bring Him honor and glory.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
God is seeking to use you to bring others to Christ.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Do you recognize that hand of God at work in your life?
History is “His” story!
History is “His” story!
