July 13, “Near Misses” and Divine Providence
Guest post by John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Katharine Lee Bates words are cherished in Americans’ hearts: “America! America! God shed His grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!” These words are rooted in the confident phrase that the Almighty God has “shed His grace” upon our nation. There are some who either deny this or seek to rewrite this or dismiss it with an arrogant claim of “white racism.” Their vitriol does not remove the truth—the Almighty Lord God has providentially guided and protected our nation. That divine care remains constant as the citizens remain faithful.
This article looks at the amazing providential care demonstrated July 1855 and again in July 2024. These are only two incidents among a myriad but an amazing study develops.
Here is an undeniable fact, the Almighty Lord God of heaven and earth is neither distant nor removed from life’s minutia. His ways are described by Inspiration as “inscrutable” (The Bible, Romans 11:33). Mortals can never fully frame God. Only the Inspired Word reveals the Holy One. However, even diligent study fails to provide a complete understanding of the eternal for the earthly mind. Enough is revealed to establish faith. Enough is revealed so we can confidently say the Lord daily does the unexpected that transforms the “ordinary” into the “extraordinary ordinary.”
Accepting the Providence of the Almighty is a troubling for some. It burdened Hepzibah. She could accept the broad sweep of Divine Providence but struggled to accept the same Providence for the individual. This led Hawthrone to note, “Hepzibah did not see that, just as there comes a warm sunbeam into every cottage window, so comes a lovebeam of God’s care and pity for every separate need” (Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House with Seven Gables).
Hepzibah’s struggle is shared by Habakkuk who cries, “Where are You Lord? Where is justice? Do You hear me? I see violence, disaster, strife, and fighting. The Law is ignored, justice is never upheld, and the wicked surround the righteous!” (The Bible, Habakkuk 1:2-4).
God simply replied, “I am doing something! I am accomplishing the desired result!” (1:5). Hepzibah and Habakkuk, and many today, need to be reminded that God IS accomplishing His purposes!
William Cowper framed this perplexity in 1774: “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform…He treasures up His bright designs and works His sov’reign will.”
Divine Providence is established in the epochs of civilization. Look! Read! Realize that “at the right time” hopeless events changed and what appeared to be hopeless became hopeful; the fluid insecurities changed to absolute securities.
Do not become short-sighted as Hepzibah and Habakkuk. Rethink your conclusion and accept that God works on the personal plane and utilize the mundane minutia of your daily life.
To validate this fact, focus on an amazing providential action separated by 269 years and 45 miles! This highlights the Divine Providence that guards our Republic.
269 years ago…July 1755
Go back to the “French and Indian War” (1754-1763). Specifically, the year 1755 and the Battle at the Monongahela. The details of that battle are intriguing but this is not the place to discuss them. It was at this battle that Colonel George Washington was the volunteer aide-de-camp with the British forces.
On that day, Washington was blessed by God’s Providence. The events propel Washington to his heroic destiny. He should have been killed. Every officer on horseback was killed except Washington. He later wrote to his brother John (July 18, 1755):
“(B)y the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt.”
Washington’s confidence in the Divine Providence did not end at Monongahela’s near misses. His reliance upon Divine providence was etched into his life and became a part of official documents.
- The Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783): “In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence…”
- The Constitution stressed the providence of God. James Madison: “It is impossible to conceive the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed, as less than a miracle.”
- Later Madison wrote: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it (the Constitutional Convention) a finger of that Almighty hand.”
- Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Our General Convention…(was) influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent and beneficent Ruler in whom all…live, and move, and have their being.”
Numerous instances of providence are found in Washington’s life. These encourage confidence in the Almighty’s providential provisions:
- The Monongahela’s ordeal strengthened his faith. God had protected him, and he became the military leader of the greatest war for independence ever fought in all of history.
- On June 1, 1774, when the Colonies were seeking God’s will in making the decision to sever their ties with England, Washington wrote in his diary: “Went to church and fasted all day.”
- As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he appointed chaplains for every regiment, recognizing that his men needed spiritual nourishment, because a war could not be won without trust and sustenance from the Almighty God.
- On August 27, 1776 Washington and 9,000 troops were trapped on Long Island. The British intended to destroy them the next morning. Washington spent all night ferrying his men across the East River. However, in the morning a large number remained and faced annihilation by Howe. But a heavy fog settled enabling the rest of Washington’s troops to escape the British trap!
This heroic stalwart believed in Divine Providence. He, like Queen Esther, had arrived “for a time such as this.” At Monongahela he found disarray; panic fueled disorder. Into the midst of hopelessness came George Washington. He restored order, rallied troops and brought safety. He had “near misses” as two horses were shot out from under him, his hat was shot off and four bullets tore through his coat. He remained resolved.
In his own words “The miraculous care of Providence…protected me beyond all human expectations.”
George Washington’s Inaugural Address emphasizes Divine Providence with these phrases:
“(A)cknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men…Every step…seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency…the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.”
269 years later…July 2024
Divine Providence continues to accomplish the “inscrutable” 269 years later. Some events cannot be explained with mortal reasoning. July 13, 2024 records the “near miss” of Donal Trump’s assassin. Note the similarities of these two incidents:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the common location. The personalities involved are both future Presidents of our Republic. Butler is 45 miles north of Monongahela. The situation is turbulent. There is civil chaos, confusion, panic and disorder. Once again, a heroic stalwart, believing in Divine Providence, rises to save the nation. These two men were positioned “for a time such as this.”
Into the midst of the hopelessness appear two men who restore order, rally the nation and bring safety. They remain resolved. Trump echoes Washington’s words, “The miraculous care of Providence…protected me beyond all human expectations.”
The failed assassination of Donald Trump exposes at best a list of inept persons and unacceptable actions and at worst a contrived scheme to remove the future President. Investigations continue into the inexcusable behavior of the security forces, but here is a current summary from public sources:
- A deliberate and unacceptable planning for security
- Security chiefs were derelict in duty
- Incompetent personnel were in charge
- Obvious errors in stationing that allowed penetration
- Total lack of communication beginning from the “top,” and was fragmented
- A refusal to listen and react to danger
- Allowance of multiple shots fired
- Death and destruction owned by the security teams
- Ludicrous justification in after-action reports from the directors
- A total failure that some treated with a shrug
- No responsibility accepted—the blame game shuffled around
- Law enforcement failed to secure the American Glass Research complex
- The shooter had a clear line of sight to Trump
- Rallygoers reported a man on the rooftop but were ignored
The after-action investigations pose questions that remain unanswered:
- Why did the Secret Service exclude that building from its security perimeter, leaving it to local police, and why did the local force not station someone on the roof?
- Why could local law enforcement agencies not communicate in real-time with Secret Service agents when they are supposed to be working together?
- Why did the Secret Service decline offers by local police to use their surveillance drone at the site?
- Why did Secret Service agents not deploy a system that would have told them an unauthorized drone was aloft — the gunman’s — until it was too late?
Sit back and consider the salvation of our Republic: woven into an “inscrutable” narrative are the month of July, the Pennsylvanian Commonwealth, the near misses, and Divine Providence!
Monongahela, PA began the heroic career of George Washington as he took a nation from infancy to maturity. Butler, PA assured the heroic career of Donald Trump and he is reviving America’s power and prestige; fueling the nation’s economy; securing the nation’s security; and, restoring the national Rule of Law.
A caution reminds us…
Let each realize that just as there is Divine Providence, there is Devilish Providence. The Devil is able to make amazing coincidences appealing so we make ungodly choices. Jonah (The Bible, Jonah 1:3) “found” a ship sailing to the furthest point from where God told him to go. The Devil’s providence offers choices that are illegal, immoral and ungodly. And, the selfish temptation to rational and justify such choices is strong. We are seeing the exposure of individuals who chose the devilish providence.
Each has a choice. Which providential course is your choice? The choice is either to ignore the Rule of Law for the applause of the world, or choose to do what is right and lawful. Your choice reflects your respect for a fellow human’s dignity and your concern for the Almighty’s judgment.
Divine Providence established our nation. Divine Providence protects our nation. Divine Providence will not be thwarted in our nation as long as citizens remain devoted to the Lord God Almighty.
There is an overarching providence urging man to choose to do what is right, good and lawful. This Providence is individual. This Providence expects individuals to make personal choices. This Providence will not coerce choices. This Providence will accomplish its objective. Let all beware and make sure they comply with the expectations!
Divine Providence assures that “righteousness exalts a nation,” but national leaders who despise Divine Providence “become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach.” The end depends upon one’s choice to follow Divine Providence or the Devilish Providence.
Again, consider how Cowper urges citizens to respect and comply with Divine Providence:
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.
Events, separated by 269 years and 45 miles, spark a clarion call to America. The providential care of the Almighty Lord God is accomplishing unbelievable results in our time. Let all make sure they are cooperating with Divine Providence!