The boy who saw the Battle of Bunker Hill

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. — Psalm 62:8

The Boy Who Saw the Battle of Bunker Hill Today's inspiration comes from: 100 Bible Verses That Made America by Robert J. Morgan Editor's note: Today in the United States it's Memorial Day, the day we honor those who have lost their lives defending their country. Today, let's pray for families who have lost a loved one in battle or in service. Enjoy this excerpt of 100 Bible Verses That Made America.   * Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. — Psalm 62:8   After the Boston Tea Party, the British issued punitive measures against Boston, which prompted the Colonies to convene the First Continental Congress in 1774. John Adams of Massachusetts traveled to Philadelphia, leaving his wife, Abigail, and their children in Braintree, near Boston, which was quickly becoming a battle zone. British troops began swarming the area, and shots were fired at nearby Lexington and Concord.   Abigail was the daughter of a minister and a force to be reckoned with, but she grew increasingly anxious for her children's safety. On June 15, she wrote her husband, "We now expect our seacoast to be ravaged; perhaps the very next letter I write will inform you that I am driven away from our yet quiet cottage... We live in continual expectation of alarms.   Courage, I know we have in abundance... but powder — where shall we get a sufficient supply?"1 Seven-year-old John Quincy felt the strain, too, later writing, "My mother with her infant children dwelt every hour of the day and of the night liable to be butchered in cold blood or taken and carried into Boston as hostages by any foraging or marauding detachment of men."2   On June 17, Abigail and her children heard the guns and cannons that marked the beginning of the Battles of Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. As the British started up the slopes, a command reportedly passed through the American lines: "Don't shoot until you see the white of their eyes." Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. — Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. — Psalm 62:8 When the guns began firing, the sound traveled for miles. Hearing the roar of the cannons and the sounds of the battle, Abigail took John Quincy and hiked to the top of Penn Hill, where they watched the battle unfold across the bay. The Boston neighborhood of Charlestown went up in flames, and the winds blew the heat and smoke into their faces. Waves of British soldiers fell while charging up Bunker's hill. The Patriots were driven back, and it was the bloodiest battle thus far in the War. The next morning Abigail wrote John, and in the middle of her letter, she burst into the cherished scriptures sustaining her, especially a passage from Psalm 62:   The day — perhaps the decisive day — is come, on which the fate of America depends. My bursting heart must give vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear friend, Dr. Warren, is no more, but fell gloriously fighting... "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power to His people. Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us." Charlestown is laid in ashes. The battle began upon our intrenchments upon Bunker's Hill, Saturday morning about three o'clock, and has not ceased yet... It is expected they will come out over the Neck tonight, and a dreadful battle must ensue. Almighty God, cover the heads of our countrymen, and be a shield to our dear friends! How many have fallen, we know not. The constant roar of the cannon is so distressing that we cannot eat, drink, or sleep.3   John Quincy Adams never forgot the carnage that filled his seven-year-old eyes as he stood transfixed by the cannons, gunfire, charging soldiers, dying troops, burning city, and unfolding history. He later said it made an impression on his mind that haunted him the rest of his life. Even in old age he couldn't bring himself to attend celebrations associated with the events of that day.4   "I saw with my own eyes the fires of Charlestown and heard Britannia's thunders in the battle... and witnessed the tears of my mother and mingled them with my own," he wrote.5   Abigail finally turned and left the bloody panorama, leading her son back home where she made him promise to repeat the Lord's Prayer every morning before rising from bed, a practice he kept the rest of his life.6   Thus the little family watched, prayed, trusted God, poured out their hearts to Him — and melted Abigail's collection of pewter spoons into musket balls for the Patriots.7 Abigail Adams, Letters of Mrs. Adams, 1 (Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1840), 36–37. Harlow Giles Unger, John Quincy Adams (Boston: De Capo Press, 2012), 12. Adams, Letters of Mrs. Adams, 39–40. Nathaniel Philbrick, Bunker Hill (New York: Viking, 2013), 293. Edward Everett Hale, ed., Old and New, 10 (Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1875), 508, quoting John Quincy Adams, Memoirs of John Quincy Adams, Comprising Portions of His Diary from 1795 to 1848, vols. 1–2, Charles Frances Adams, ed. (Philadelphia: Lippincott & Company, 1874). Unger, John Quincy Adams, 17. 7. Unger, John Quincy Adams, 17.   Excerpted with permission from 100 Bible Verses That Made America by Robert Morgan, copyright Robert J. Morgan.   * Ready to Dig Deeper? SHOP THIS BOOK ► Your Turn Scripture is our very foundation. It's God's library of books of love to us that we must cling to, not just in trials, fear, and suffering, but in times of peace and calm as well. How has scripture changed your life and sustained you? ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT A reminder of the beauty of faith and country Save 43% 100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation of Faith $11.99 43% off  + FREE shipping on $25+ with code MD25  SHOP NOW 100 Bible Verses That Made America is a tour through the biblical roots of American history—a powerful exploration of our country's founders, leaders, and the critical moments that laid the foundation for the formation of the USA. Had there been no Bible, there would be no America as we know it. It is the Bible that made America.   When George Washington was sworn into office as our first president, he did not place his hand on the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States, as important as those documents are. Instead, he swore upon and even kissed the Bible to sanctify this important moment. The Bible, Washington knew, had ushered American history to this point.   While not every Founding Father was a Christian, each was knowledgeable about the Bible. And while none of them was perfect, many embraced a deep faith in the unfailing Word of God. LEARN MORE ► Today's devotion is by: Robert J. Morgan What others are saying "A great book and review of America's beginnings in history. It shows that the foundation Of America was truly on God's word." — Donna P. "A great history lesson on the biblical foundation of The USA. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves our country and loves the Lord." — Robertson "This is a missing piece of our history, and the author writes in his usual engaging style! Highly recommended."  — Susan B SHOP NOW More about the book 100 Bible Verses That Made America contains:   Short, devotional-style chapters, each featuring a Bible verse and how it influenced a historical figure Engaging stories spanning from the Mayflower to modern day Vivid segments that emphasize the Bible as the cornerstone of American history Journey with Robert J. Morgan as he shares the Bible's role in the defining moments of American history and its impact on the people of our nation, reminding us of the beauty of faith and country and reigniting our passion for both. SHOP NOW You might also like God's Promises for the American Patriot BY: DR. RICHARD G. LEE & JACK COUNTRYMAN This book combines historical facts about our forefathers with promises from God's Word, giving a powerful look at the importance of Biblical values and how they affect the fabric of our constitution.  It's both inspiring and educational and is sure to fuel the passion of many Christian patriots across the globe. $7.79 40% off SHOP NOW Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service BY: GARY SINISE Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his life's work: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten. $11.50 39% off SHOP NOW Use coupon code MD25 to get free shipping on orders of $25 or more through 5/27! SHOP NOW SHARE this devotion with someone who needs it today SHARE

Copyright © 2024 HarperCollins Christian Publishing,  All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN  37214  USA Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy   Rick Livermore partner link to Faith Gateway here  Free Shipping will be taken with code MD25 *Sale price ends on 6/30/24. Limited quantities available.  Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks.  Free Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $35 excluding Alaska and Hawaii.   **eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that: To access your eBooks, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly in your browser by creating a Glose account using the same email address you use to purchase the eBooks. eBooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook). For more information about how to access eBooks purchased on this site, click here for our FAQs.  All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The 14-day free trial is available to new subscribers only.        BIBLE VERSE Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. - Jeremiah1:5 Blog Page about Alibris Books Blog Page about Faith Gateway Books Blog Page about Logos Books Get $100 off a Logos 10 base package (first-time base package purchasers only)   Shop The Exclusive Offer for Logos 10 Save up to 20% on a Logos package, plus get five free bonus books.  10% off of various Logos packages + 5 free digital books  Shop for Publisher Spotlight Logos Monthly Free Books, Ebooks and Audio Books For month of May 2024 May's free Book God’s Word for Today’s World Additional May free book Justice and Loyalty a commentary on the book of Micah MAY'S FREE EBOOK Psalms for the Anxious Heart: A 30-Day Devotional for Uncertain Times MAY'S FREE AUDIOBOOK Keep a Quiet Heart (audio) Ongoing Free item strategy: Try this link: https://www.logos.com/free-book Now this link: https://www.logos.com/free-ebook Next try this link: https://www.logos.com/free-audiobook    Try these Logos Bible Software Discount codes GOLL   WGR9    Shop for Logos Monthly Sale Faith Gateway: Discount will be taken with code TY5   Furnished by Rick Livermore Webmaster220 San Juan Capistrano California –  Publisher Information This blog post was furnished by Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  other blogs by the same person: The_New_Rick_Livermore_Site (Discontinued) Discontinued Rick Livermore Webmaster220 on Twitter (x)