Seven Miracles That Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope by Chris and Ted Stewart

294 pages

"'When the odds were stacked against us--and there have been many times when the great experiment we call America could have and should have failed--did God intervene to save us?'

That question, posed by authors Chris and Ted Stewart, is the foundation for this remarkable book. And the examples they cite provide compelling evidence that the hand of Providence has indeed preserved the United States of America on multiple occasions. Skillfully weaving story vignettes with historical explanations, they examine seven instances that illustrate God's protecting care:

• The unlikely discovery of America by Christopher Columbus
• How (and why) desperate English colonists were able to survive the 'starving time' at Jamestown
• The Battle of New York during the Revolutionary War
• The miraculous creation of the United States Constitution
• Abraham Lincoln's desperate prayer that turned the tide of the Civil War at Gettysburg
• How a series of extraordinary events changed the Battle of Midway during World War II
• The preservation of Ronald Reagan's life from an assassin's bullet, allowing him the time he needed to help extend freedom around the world

Never, at any of these critical junctures, was a positive outcome certain or even likely. Yet America prevailed. Why? 'No man is perfect,' writes the authors. 'And neither is any nation. Yet, despite our weakness, we are still, as Abraham Lincoln said, the best nation ever given to man. Despite our faults, this nation is still the last, best hope of earth.' In short, God still cares what happens here. This reassuring message is a bright light in a world that longs for such hope." -Dust Jacket

I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely a Christian book and those who believe differently may not find this book as inspiring as I did. Because I do believe that America is an exceptional land and is favored by God, it was wonderful to read these examples of why that's true. We are the "best nation ever given to man." That doesn't make us better than other people or nations, it just gives us the responsibility to promote freedom and democracy around the world and be an example to other nations. 

I particularly enjoyed the first five miracles mentioned as it's been awhile since I've studied American history. I was reminded of just how great our Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln were and I couldn't help but feel that even though this is a blessed land, its leaders struggled and struggled mightily before God intervened. It is my belief that God lets us struggle to teach us and mold us into who He needs us to be. If only all of our leaders could be men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Despite all the negative things happening in our country there really is reason to have hope.