The world's oldest rollercoaster

The world’s oldest rollercoaster is not found in any amusement park, but in the Spiritual history of the United States. Since the great Spiritual fervor of the early Colonial period, America has been up and down spiritually as a nation. From 1607-1670, there was a great emphasis on the Word of God, witnessing, prayer, and living a Godly life. However, in the late 1600s, many turned to material things, strong drink, crime, superstition, and Enlightenment thinking. One example of how things had deteriorated, was the Salem witch trials of 1691. Twenty innocent people were put to death based on the accusations of two girls who claimed to see aberrations hovering over each victim. Crime became so prevalent that punishments like the pillory, scarlet letter, and the branks mask were needed to keep some semblance of order. Another part of the Spiritual decline was the Enlightenment of 1688. When it first started, it was an attempt to understand creation and God with the help of reason and logic. However, reason and logic soon took over and faith in God was seen as irrelevant to the pursuit of truth. Deism and Unitarianism became the popular philosophy and religion of the day. The Church even contributed to this Spiritual decline by introducing the Half-way Covenant. This allowed children of Church goers to become members of the Church even if they were not saved. Within one generation, Churches were full of unsaved members. One person who visited a Christian church during this time said it was difficult to tell what religion the Church was due to the fact that Christ, sin, or the Bible, were never mentioned. It appeared that America was heading for judgement from God, unless there was revival. Fortunately, God in His mercy allowed America to experience the First Great Awakening. This was the beginning of the long rollercoaster ride that I alluded to earlier. The Great Awakening lasted from 1720-1750. This Spiritual revival brought America back to the place of God’s blessing. During the end of the 1700s, America again slipped into rebellion against God. This was followed by the Second Great awakening of 1795-1830. In the next two decades after the revival, America again lapsed into the spirit of Apostasy. God again mercifully allowed America to experience the Third Great Awakening from 1857-1865. During the last part of the nineteenth century, America once again feel from God’s word and God’s way. This was followed by the fourth and final Great awakening from about 1890-1920. Notice I said final, we have not experience a national revival since the 1920s. Is the Rollercoaster ride all down hill as we race to God’s judgement? I have no idea, but I believe it is still necessary to ask God for national as well as church and individual revival. Two Bible verses summarize what America has experienced Spiritually for the last 400 years. Psalm 33:12 says; “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Proverbs 14:34 says this; “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any nation.” If we as a nation want God’s hand of blessing restored to our nation, we must return to the God of our fathers.