The Greatness of America!

The Greatness of America

What was it that made America the wonder of the world?  Can we look back and trace those steps to greatness?  Is there a trail that we can follow?  Did the movers and shakers of long ago leave some clues for us to find?  What are some of the ideas that led to the belief all over the world, that America was the place where dreams could come true?

The Ideas That Made America Great

Respect and Reverence for God

From the very beginning in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, God was acknowledged and honored by the leaders who discovered, explored, and settled this great continent. Christopher Columbus wrote, “It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. ..there is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit…”

 The actions of Columbus show that God was respected and reverenced.   When land was first sighted, hymns of praise to God reverberated throughout the three ships!  Upon landing, Columbus and his crew planted a large wooden cross and fell to their knees, giving thanks to God.  Columbus didn’t name the land for himself or for the king and queen of Spain who financed the voyage, but for the Lord Jesus Christ.  He called it San Salvador, which means Holy Savior.

The Spanish, French and English all explored and settled the great wilderness of North America in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the spread of the gospel.   Missions, churches, schools and hospitals were established to that end.  In 1620 the Pilgrims wrote the Mayflower Compact stating that the Plymouth colony was planted, “For the Glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”

John Adams a century and a half later wrote, “I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence…”

Indeed, it was “the opening of a grand scene and design” by God.  "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord!" (Psalm 33:12) America became the wonder of the world, a place of freedom where hopes and dreams could come true!     

The true and living God of the Bible reveals Himself as the God of all Hope.  Everyone who came here was filled with the hope of some gain – a new discovery, an adventure, a new beginning, a better life with hope for freedom, opportunity and land.  America became a beacon of hope throughout the world because the knowledge of God and His Word was the first idea and the chief cornerstone upon which it was built.