The following is a devotion written by former Lutheran Hour Speaker Pastor Ken Klaus from July 4, 2017, titled, “For He Is Good,” based on Psalm 107:1, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Only 25 days after the Declaration of Independence had been signed by the last delegate, General George Washington's army found itself trapped on the edge of Brooklyn, New York’s, East River. The British had 20,000 seasoned soldiers ready to attack the 8,000 inexperienced, raw Colonials. The end, as everyone could plainly see, was imminent.

It would have been imminent, but for some reason – some illogical, inexplicable reason – the British forces drew up short. They hesitated. Some have suggested the British commander was waiting for his fleet to sail up the river. The fleet didn’t come, at least not when they were expected. A northwest wind blew, rains came, and the British ships couldn’t set sail.

If the British hesitated, Washington didn’t. Under the cover of darkness, using small boats, Washington led his men in retreat. With haste, carrying a few men at a time, the boats crisscrossed the river. The goal was to save as much of the army as was possible. The night passed before the job was completed. The approach of dawn would make the ferrying boats target practice for the skilled artillerymen of the British.

That’s the way history might have written the end of the Rebel Army, but it didn’t happen that way. Just as the sun came up, so did a fog. It wasn’t so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, but it was thick enough so visibility was reduced to less than 20 feet. The fog hung on until the last Colonial boat, the one with Washington, was launched. The best the British could do was lob some shells at Washington’s boat, which was out of range.

[Some would think that it was all coincidence, that] it would be foolish to think that God sent the rains, that God directed the winds, that God brought up the fog…. But almost every one of the American soldiers who recorded the events of that night gave credit for these “coincidental happenings” to the Triune God. And there were many British troops who wondered if they shouldn't go home since the Lord was obviously fighting for the Colonies. No doubt, many of the American men, having been delivered by this miracle, thought of Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Of course, all this was over two-and-a-quarter centuries ago. Much of America has become too sophisticated to rely on God, to think of Him, or thank Him. And that, my friends, is a big mistake. You see, God’s mercy endures forever, but His patience does not. Far better for those in America, or whatever country you call home, to give thanks to the Lord for not only giving us forgiveness and salvation through His Son, but also for His blessings and freedoms, which are far more dependable than are our thanks.

Well said by Pastor Klaus whom the Lord called home to heaven last year. For the next two Sundays we’ll hear about the Prophet Jeremiah who worked among the less-than-thankful people of Judah. He was given the unenviable calling of declaring to them that Jerusalem’s destruction was imminent, just as some in our day may feel about our nation unless there is a return to seeking the Lord’s blessing and following His ways as many were doing during the War for Independence.

So what is to be done to call our nation back to God, realizing that one cannot legislate believe? We call on the name of the Lord, praying that stone hearts of apathy and indifference would be broken apart by the Holy Spirit and people would be open to hearing the saving Gospel, that pride in our accomplishments would be replaced with thanksgiving to the One who has endowed us with creative abilities, and that the creature’s desire to fashion him or herself into whatever he or she thinks best would be replaced by a true desire to work for the common good to preserve life, liberty, and the equal ability to pursue happiness.

God bless our native land; Firm may she ever stand Through storm and night.

When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do Thou our country save By Thy great might.

So shall our prayers arise To God above the skies; On Him we wait.

Thou who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye, To Thee aloud we cry: God save the state!

LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK #965