America’s 4th Centennial

Nena Arias | January 6, 2020

The year 2020 is America’s 4^th centennial from the landing of the Pilgrims on the shores of Massachusetts. 

One hundred and two passengers arrived on the Mayflower to make a new home for themselves and their families. Half of those newcomers died that first winter. What are the odds that fifty plus people, most of which were the young children and teenagers of those who died, could have started the design of the nation that became the most powerful nation in all of human history? You guessed it—it was definitely a God thing.

Studies show by mathematics that the average lifespan of the power of a nation is 215 years. After that the decline begins or it can end suddenly. Even though America is teetering, and way past the allotted time, why is America still on its feet? Experts say, “the United States has now outlasted the majority of the empires in a historical data set and is now crossing the threshold into hoary old age.”  

We can only say that since America was a “God thing” from the beginning, that America is still standing because God is not through with America yet unless America is through with God. In Acts 17:26 the Bible says, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.”  Does America have an expiration date?

When the experts say that past performance is not indicative of future results, this brings us to the focal point of this editorial, America either reforms back to the biblical principles that gave it its greatness or dies. It will not be the exception if major principles in morals and ethics are not corrected back to living God’s way, we will have to face the consequences of our evil ways.  

The journey and the landing of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts on November 9, 1620, after a 66-day voyage, is known as the journey that literally changed the whole world. This is an undeniable fact and history proves it. The miniscule colony they founded grew, prospered and began the avalanche of a grand civilization that has been in the making for 400 years. The Pilgrims could have never imagined the magnitude of the mission that brought them here. Judging from their writings, especially the Mayflower Compact, we can only conclude that they knew they were on a God mission. Their souls yearned to be free to live and worship their God, the God of the Bible. There is no denying that the conception and original design of America was very unique and guided by God.

The early settlers and colonists put in place in the foundation of this nation principles that God could bless. It wasn’t just hard work and human ingenuity that built this nation. Other people and nations work just as hard, they have the same kind of brains, talents and abilities. So, what made the difference here in America? God and his truth, that’s who made the difference, because God only honors his Word.

We hear a lot about making America great again. What greatness do people have in mind when they say that? Is it just to make ourselves materially wealthy again? Absolutely not! Wealth does not make people great; if anything, it makes them worse. Because, until sin is dealt with by repentance, confession and turning from evil ways, it will just keep replicating and wealth only makes it easier for that to happen, if people are not careful. Wealth tends to make people live very selfishly and self-indulgent, without restraints.

We have to admit that America has enemies who hate our original design because it involves God and they hate God and his values. These enemies have infiltrated in all areas of our society and culture. They are relentless in their endeavors to achieve their goals. Will we who believe in God and the original design of America be as determined and relentless to fight for the America we love?

Happy 400^th birthday, America!