He makes nations great, and he destroys them

He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. – Job 12:23

After George Washington’s two terms, John Adams was elected the second President of the United States. During his term, the French Revolution occurred and the atheistic Reign of Terror followed in France. All churches were closed; religious monuments destroyed; graves desecrated; crosses forbidden; public and private worship and education outlawed. Priests and ministers were executed on sight. French privateers ignored treaties and, by 1798, had seized nearly 300 American ships bound for British ports. Talleyrand, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, demanded millions of dollars in bribes for them to leave U.S. ships alone.

As America and France came close to war, President Adams asked George Washington, now retired at Mount Vernon, to again be the Commander-in-Chief of the American Army. Washington agreed. President Adams also declared a Day of Fasting on March 23, 1798, and again on March 6, 1799. President Adams said, “The people of the United States are still held in jeopardy by insidious acts of a foreign nation, as well as by the dissemination among them of those principles subversive to the foundations of all religions, moral and social obligations… Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.”

War with France was then averted, and a Second Great Awakening revival began to sweep America.

Throughout history, there has been the rise and fall of atheistic governments. Their leaders foolishly discount the presence and power of God. But it is the Lord who raises up certain nations for a time and then causes them to fall. He controls the future.

Rejoice that you can trust God to guide your life.