Providence on Purpose

In July of 1755, a young George Washington rode on horseback with General Edward Braddock, a British officer, and about 1,300 troops as they set out to push the French army out of the Ohio Country.  General Braddock set as his target, Fort Duquesne.  Nearing the fort, the British army were attacked by a combined force of French soldiers and several Indian tribes.  Unaccustomed to guerrilla-style fighting within tree lines, the British were beat back.  To make matters worse, British soldiers began firing into their own lines, thinking they were instead shooting at the French.  This led to mass chaos and immediate retreat by the British.  To help clear the battlefield confusion, Braddock rode forward, but was struck down with a mortal wound.  His men grabbed his body as they continued the retreat.  

Washington now realized he had to step up and provide leadership in the absence of the dying Braddock.  He rallied the British to establish a rear guard that allowed some soldiers to retreat safely.  While doing so, Washington had two horses shot from underneath him.  But each time, he climbed onto a horse belonging to another fallen warrior.  If not for Washington’s actions, more British would have been captured and killed.

Once safely down the road, Washington took stock of what happened.  Recalling the event in a letter to his brother, Washington wrote, “But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.”  Why hadn’t Washington been hit when so many of those around him lay on the ground dead and dying?  The Reverend Samuel Davies might have understood the reasoning better than anyone.  Upon hearing what occurred, he wrote, “As a remarkable instance of this [his bravery], I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country.”

Providence.  Preserved.  Service.  Three thought-provoking words.  

Both the colonel and the good reverend understood that divine Providence had intervened.  Now, there is no shortage of critics who want to convince us that George Washington did not believe in God.  They cite all kinds of facts to include he rarely took communion, or that he rarely attended church.  But the fact of the matter is Washington spoke and wrote about God quite liberally, even commenting that he himself might turn preacher when his current duty as the commander of the army ceased.  Washington believed that an all-powerful God had protected him.

Davies too, believed, quite correctly, that God had preserved Washington’s life in that moment, where bullets were whizzing around and through his jacket, for some greater purpose.  It wasn’t poor marksmanship by the French and Indians.  It was God’s hand preserving Washington’s life.  And why had God’s hand preserved Washington?  Because the colonel was needed for a greater service, as Davies wrote.  The rag-tag group of colonies needed a resolute commander for its army.  After the war, these same colonies needed a voice of reason in establishing a Constitution.  And the fledgling United States needed a man of remarkable experience as its first president.

So, was it the fickle fingers of fate, or the guidance of God’s Providence? George understood what Isaiah the prophet had written some 2,500 years earlier, “Fear not, for I am with you…I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”