During these days of confusion and difficulty, it is helpful for me to recall the faithfulness of God in protecting and providing for the English Pilgrims. They earnestly sought a place where they could worship the Lord according to the teachings of the Bible, raise their children without undue worldly influences, and live as “free-men” building-up their own homes and livelihoods. On November 21, 1620 (i.e. New Style dating) the Pilgrims landed at Cape Cod after a stormy crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. They trusted God to provide for their needs and to help them carve out a flourishing colony from the wilderness, and the Lord certainly did so! Here is William Bradford’s account of their arrival,
But to be brief, after long beating at sea, on November 11th they fell in with a part of the land called Cape Cod, at which they were not a little joyful…Having found a good haven and being brought safely in sight of land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries of it, again to set their feet upon the firm and stable earth, their proper element…As for the season, it was winter…Summer being done, all things turned upon them a weather-beaten face; and the whole country, full of woods and thickets, presented a wild and savage view.
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, 64-65
Let us take heart in knowing that we have a God who hears our prayers and who rewards those who seek after Him. The prophet Isaiah records these words from the Lord, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and who trembles at my word.” (Isa. 66:2) Jesus also stated, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) Let us, then, resolve to be like the Pilgrims who trusted God for their very lives, for their daily provision, and for the welfare of future generations.
— Dr. Marcus J. Serven