“Son of man, speak to your people and say to them:
‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,
and he sees the sword coming against the land
and blows the trumpet to warn the people,
then if anyone hears the trumpet
but does not heed the warning and the sword comes
and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.
Since they heard the sound of the trumpet
but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head.
If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.
April 18, 1775
...and early morning the following day ..
Paul Revere crossed the Charles River and rode to Lexington
to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were coming.
One if by Land, Two if by sea
To alert the Charlestown colonists of the British troop movement,
Revere had instructed the sexton to signal by the code
of the number of lanterns set in the tower of Boston's North Church.
From the other side of the Charles River,
Revere spied the two lanterns to indicate
the British would be crossing the river ... "by sea."
Paul Revere with William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott continued on
toward Concord, warning many along the way.
Revere and Dawes were stopped by the British,
but Prescott got away to finish the ride to Lexington.
Cool map: Virtual Midnight Ride
* Paul Revere's Ride *
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem in 1860
lionizing this event that ignited the Revolutionary War.
It's told through the eyes of the landlord
and has become a classic in American culture.
Heavenly Father –
As we passed the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride – April 18th – and the start of the American Revolution – April 19th – may we remember the watchfulness and sacrifices of our founders so that we may live in a free country. May we never take our rights – especially freedom of religion and speech – for granted. May we be ever vigilant to the enemy within who would rob us of our birthright.
Forgive us for taking the gift of freedom and liberty for granted and not using this great opportunity to proclaim the Gospel – not only with our words, but with our lives. May we turn our hearts back to Author of Freedom and Rights – which come from God, not by any government.
Bless our heroes from the time of George Washington to our present hour, who sacrificed and still sacrifice to secure our freedoms and keep us safe. Bless all the prayer warriors who defend us from the enemy of our souls. Like the Minutemen, may we never become complacent, but always be ready and watching for Your blessed return.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen
for he is good;
his love endures forever.
