Living in Increase (Part 10) - Increase in AwarenessSample

Be Aware of Your Own Weakness

The winter of 1776 was exceptionally severe, and the Americans were not faring well in Pennsylvania. General Washington’s army was not strong enough to take on the British forces who had captured the great city of Philadelphia. Instead, he led his men to Valley Forge, a small town outside Philadelphia. Here, he could keep an eye on the King’s men and hopefully prevent them from going beyond the city. That winter proved to be much more complex than fighting many military battles. The snow drifted into the open windows of their makeshift cabins. The wind howled through every crack in the walls. Men shivered as they tried to sleep on the hard ground. They crowded together around fires to keep from freezing to death. The men were wearing rags for clothes. Many had no shirts, and even more went without shoes. They wrapped their bloodied feet with rags made from blankets. Food was scarce, and soldiers often went days without eating. Men and generals drifted to sleep each evening, wondering if it would be their last.

George Washington is regarded as one of the greatest generals of all time. He was knowledgeable of military tactics and commanded great respect from his men. There are many stories of his incredible leadership. This great man has been the subject of many artists who portrayed him on horseback or in a boat crossing the Delaware River and later leading as our first president. My favorite painting of George Washington hung above the fireplace in my childhood home. In the picture, he was fighting. However, he was not with his men. He was not holding any weapons. He was not on his horse. He was alone, kneeling in the snow.

This was the scene a farmer named Isaac Potts encountered one day during that brutal winter of 1776. Washington had slipped away from his men to a clearing in the woods near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. There, on his knees, he prayed. The farmer listened for a bit and then quickly went home to assure his wife that the Americans would win their independence. When she asked why he was so confident, he said, “I have heard Washington pray!”

George Washington knew that the odds were against him. He knew that his men needed supernatural intervention to merely survive. He knew that the hand of God had to be on him if he were to lead these men to victory. He knew that this battle, this war, had to be fought on his knees.

The Revolutionary War was a fight for independence. It was a political separation from a colonial power. A multitude of complex factors caused this separation. One might quickly dismiss the idea that there were spiritual forces in play. However, George Washington knew that leading his men would require a measure of divine assistance. His character and virtue were deeply rooted in his faith and reliance on God. Washington recognized his weakness and knew when to kneel before God and ask for help. He understood that he could do nothing without God (John 5:15).

After seven years of fighting, the Americans ultimately defeated the British. The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, officially ended the war. George Washington became the First President of the United States of America, and He continued to fall on his knees and seek wisdom and guidance from God.

Julie Austin

Action Step: Seek God first. Before taking any further steps toward solving a problem, stop and follow the example George Washington set. Ask God to give you the strength and guidance.