George Washington (1732-1799) was providentially prepared for his role as the pre-eminent Founding Father of the United States of America. Numerous remarkable incidents occurred in his life and career that even he could only attribute to the providential hand of God.
One of the most amazing incidents occurred when an old Native American chief declared of a young Washington, “He will become chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him the founder of a mighty nation.”
Providentially Protected in Battle
This prophecy came forth in 1770 as Washington and the chief were discussing the Battle of Fort Duquesne in which both had participated but on opposite sides. The Battle of Fort Duquesne had occurred in July 1755 when 1,459 British soldiers were ambushed by a large contingent of Native American warriors who had joined the French in their fight with the British for control of the North American continent. It proved to be one of the bloodiest days in Anglo-American history with 977 British soldiers killed or wounded. It was a day also, however, when Washington’s legendary fame for bravery began to spread throughout the land.
Washington, in his early 20s at the time, had been recruited by the British because of his knowledge of the ways of the wilderness and the American Indians. He had acquired this knowledge in his work as a surveyor of wilderness territory.
Assigned to travel with the British General Braddock to take Fort Duquesne (present day Pittsburgh), Washington found his advice for traveling through the wilderness and dealing with the Natives ignored by Braddock, who considered him a young upstart colonialist.
But when the ambush occurred and Braddock himself was wounded, Washington took charge and organized an orderly retreat while at the same time putting his own life at risk, rescuing the wounded and placing them in wagons. During this time of chaos, two horses were shot out from under him and his clothes were shredded with bullets.
He emerged unscathed and gave glory to God, saying, “I was saved by the miraculous care of providence that saved me beyond human expectation.” His reputation for bravery immediately spread among both the English and the Native Americans
The Prophecy Comes Forth
It was now 15 years later in 1770 and Washington and a friend had been exploring an area along the Ohio River when they encountered a group of Native Americans. Recognizing Washington, the Natives invited the men back to their camp to meet with their chief, whom it turned out had fought on the side of the French in the Battle of Duquesne.
According to historian George Bancroft, they were having a cordial visit and then the old chief, pointing to Washington, spoke the amazing prophecy. He said;
“I am chief and ruler over all my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the Great Lakes, and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed with the streams of our forest that I first beheld this chief. I called to my young men and said, ‘Mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the redcoat tribe—he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do—himself alone is exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies.’ Our rifles were leveled—rifles which, but for him, knew not how to miss. Twas all in vain; a power far mightier than we shielded him from harm. He cannot die in battle. The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies. He will become chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him the founder of a mighty nation” (Benjamin Hart, Faith & Freedom, 234).
The Prophecy Fulfilled
Five years later, war broke out with Great Britain, and Washington was appointed commander in chief of the colonial army. He led his outnumbered, outgunned troops to an amazing victory over the British through numerous unusual incidents that he attributed to the providential intervention of God. He then presided over the Constitutional Convention and was later unanimously elected the first president of the United States of America. He is the only president to have received 100 percent of the electoral votes, not once but twice.
Washington’s sacrificial service, in which he put the good of the country ahead of his own personal aspirations, endeared him to the hearts of all Americans. “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,” was a common adage ascribed to Washington by his generation, which also considered him the “father of his country.” When he died on Dec. 14, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered 10 days of mourning throughout France. In America, thousands wore mourning clothes for months.
The old chief was right!
Our Responsibility
As we are remember George Washington on his birthday, let us not forget that we, as a nation, owe our very existence to the providential mercies of Almighty God. And let us not suppose that we can continue as a nation without His providential care. Let us therefore beseech Him to have mercy upon us as a nation and visit us again with His mercy and power.
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