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When the Pilgrims landed in the New World, they expected to help a hostile people in need of the Gospel. Instead, they received, and returned, compassion from a man who, by God’s grace, was right where they needed him.

 

Squanto, a Patuxent Indian born in 1590 and named Tisquantum, lived in what is now New England with his tribe. In 1605, he may have been captured by an English explorer and brought to England for nine years. Although that may or may not have happened, all scholars agree that he was captured in 1614 and brought to Spain. From Spain, Squanto went to England and then Newfoundland. He was brought back to New England by Captain Dermer, an employee of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who owned most of what is now Maine.

In 1619, Dermer and Squanto traveled to the area of Squanto’s former home in New England. Disease had ravaged the tribe. Few Patuxent had survived. Dermer tried to trade with other tribes but these attempts ended in attacks and capture. Dermer escaped but Squanto became captive of the Pokanoket whose chief was Massasoit.

Meanwhile, the Pilgrims were making their way to America. It is miraculous that the Pilgrims landed where they did, because they sought to land just north of the Virginia colony. Due to bad weather they were blown off course to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Upon arrival they should have found a hostile group of Patuxent Indians. Instead, they were watched by the disease-stricken, weakened Pokanoket, too weak to attack. The situation was similarly bleak for the Pilgrims. They weathered the first winter on the ship. Almost half of those who made the trip perished.

Samoset, a member of another tribe, first befriended the Pilgrims, hoping for trade. He was met with kindness and openness. Massasoit then asked the Pilgrims for an alliance—the Pokanoket would help the Pilgrims survive in return for a promise of peace between them. Squanto, who spoke English well, was freed to be a guide and interpreter for the Pilgrims. William Bradford, governor of the colony, described Squanto in his journal: “Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died.”

Squanto served as an envoy between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, but most importantly Squanto helped them grow crops and hunt in this strange land. He taught them about the three sisters, corn, beans, and squash, as well as how to use small fish as fertilizer when planting.

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Slowly, conditions got better. During the second year, in the words of Bradford, in “the summer there was no want.” So despite the common belief that the first Thanksgiving was a celebration of plenty, it was in fact a celebration of thanks to God for providing what was necessary to enable them to survive. The Pilgrims invited Squanto and a nearby tribe of Indians to join them.

The Pilgrims established an official day to pray and thank the Lord for his provision to accomplish their aim to see the gospel of Jesus Christ advanced. In Governor William Bradford’s proclamation, he wrote: “[God] has granted us freedom to worship [Him] according to the dictates of our own conscience…[all are] to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”

Squanto lived the rest of his life with the Pilgrims. His relations with other tribes broke down over time and it is thought that he was only safe living there. He was another famous American who was imperfect, yet his help to the Pilgrims was used by God to save them. At his death, Squanto asked Bradford to pray to the Englishman’s God in heaven to receive him. He also bequeathed all his belongings to various Pilgrims as a sign of his love for them.

This compassion, which is not limited by differences in nationality, race, culture, or circumstances, is an example to us all.

(Excerpt from Inspired People by Dave Kubal and Judy McDonough. Photo Credit: Getty Images.)

The Pilgrims declared Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks and praise to God for accomplishing His will in this country. What are you thankful for in America?

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Vivian lRampey
November 24, 2020

Thank you for sending message today . I liked the story of the Indian called Squanto. I would love a copy of book that you are offering. Thank you so much for sending out these messages. I prayed and am praying for all of you.

Cole
November 23, 2020

As a former history teacher and a loving follower of all history for 50 years, I truly appreciate when I see condensed stories like this one. It allows us a glimpse into “real world / national history” that helps us understand the foundations of our country.
It is so important that our children and adult population hear these truths.
We live in a society that has programmed and forced out much of our needed history.
I, like many, continue to pray that our nation, schools & society will return to teaching these essential facts regarding our nation’s history.

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MaryJo Coleman
November 23, 2020

Incredible testimony of yet another person sent by our loving Father and King! Oh LORD, please bring us back to our roots of this nation with desire to serve and live for you!

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Joyce
November 23, 2020

Oh I love this about that THANKSGIVING “…it was in fact a celebration of thanks to God for providing what was necessary to enable them to survive. ”
OH GOD BLESSED GREW IT AND GREW IT TO A BOUNTIFUL BLESSING UPON US…WE HAVE TAKEN SO MUCH FOR GRANTED…FORGIVE US LORD WE GIVE YOU THANKS THIS THANKSGIVING FOR YOUR BLESSING, YOUR MERCY, YOUR GOODNESS UPON THIS NATION. WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR WHAT WE STILL HAVE AND ASK FOR YOUR BLESSING TO REMAIN UPON ALL WE HAVE IN JESUS’ Name So Be It According to Your Rich Mercy and Goodness and not according to US anything…good or evil…LET YOUR MERCIFUL GLORY LIGHT OF HOPE EVER SHINE UPON US WE humbly ask oh God \o/

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Luanne
November 23, 2020

Abba, I’m grateful for your hand on our country — for your providential provision, for going before us, for a rich heritage of your care in forming America. I am grateful to be a citizen of heaven and also of America. I’m grateful you appointed President Trump to help us as Squanto helped the Pilgrims. You are still the same yesterday, today, and forever. You have used President Trump to make treaties with potential hostile countries, get rid of unfair trade policies, and create a strong economy. You are preparing the soil of our land to bring forth a mighty harvest. O Mighty God, you have allowed a storm with strong winds to appear to have blown us off course. When all along you have gone before us to bring us into a safe harbor, teaching us how to trade with those hostile to us, and to bring peace. While the forces of hell battle us, use what was meant for evil for our good. Prepare our land and our hearts to get ready to bring in the harvests. Send us to the highways and byways to bring in the lame, the deaf, and the blind to your banqueting tables. May YOUR tables be full! Many are saying do not gather on Thanksgiving because of COVID, but we cannot be stopped from coming to your Banqueting Table! You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies! LORD, help us to bring in the physically disabled, and also those who are spiritually blind, deaf, and lame. Those who fight against you and your kingdom. Those who we look at their policies and think ‘how can you not see, how can you not hear the truth and walk in it? How can you not see the evidence of our Maker, Creator, and King?!!! Open the eyes of the blind! Open up the ears of the deaf! Make the lame to walk! Abba, we thank you for sending the winds from the north, south, east, and west to bring your body of dry bones together into a mighty army. Breathe your breath into us. Send us into the highways and byways to compel them to come in. There is room at your table! May red and blue, black, white, yellow, and brown sit together feasting on your goodness. Send the east wind to part the “Red Sea” before us. I heard Alan Dershowitz say on Sunday there is no way President Trump can win the election. They have the legal right; but even so, the number of votes are not there to win. It would take “the perfect storm” for Donald Trump to win. Hallelujah! Amen! You are God and the One who creates the perfect storm! Hahaha! Breathe your breath, send forth an east wind to our shores to part the waters, to make a way where there seems to be no way! Send the perfect storm to bring us to victory in Jesus! To bring us to the other side of this election and this 20/20 year.

We are SO grateful for your hand of mercy on our beloved country. We have all gone astray, there is none righteous, no not one. Yet you love us and have a plan for this people, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. What a joy to be a part of that # ‘When the Saints go marching in!’

Abba, when all is said and done, and we are on the other side of this storm, may we NOT forget you and your purposes in our times of peace and prosperity. Help us to win souls, for that is wise. Help us to be laborers in your fields. We are so in awe of you and your plans for us — for your great love for us and for every American, no matter our backgrounds or political affiliations. May we take a lesson from the Pilgrims and bring your peace and love to our “hostile enemies”. May we be the city on a hill whose light shines forth your glory to the nations. We bow down and worship you. We are grateful for all you have done to bring us to our knees, to humble us, and reestablish your covenant with us. We are so undeserving. We worship you and adore you and are eternally grateful for sending your Son, Jesus, to open our eyes and ears and to take away our sins, and the sins of the world. WORTHY, WORTHY, WORTHY is the Lamb who was slain to receive honor and glory and power! We worship you! And it is the name of Jesus we pray, Amen and Amen!

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    Joyce
    November 23, 2020

    Rest assured if MERCY was not here we would have already fallen…BUT GOD …he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave.

    🔥👁 👁🔥BEHOLD, AMERICA, FOR THE LORD PASSED BY AND AFTER THE MOUNTAIN RENTING AND ROCK SMASHING WIND…AFTER THE EARTH SHAKING EARTHQUAKE THREATENING TO SPLIT AND DIVIDE THE LAND TO THE SWALLOWING UP OF THE NATION AS A WHOLE …AFTER THE PARCHING DEVOURING REFINING FIRE…THE STILL SMALL VOICE …THEN THE GLORY APPEARS IN ALL HIS GLORY THE MAJESTY THE PURITY THE HOLINESS RIGHTEOUS JUST AND TRUE THE AWE OF OUR GOD WILL COME UP BEFORE OUR FACES AND WE WILL HIDE OUR FACES AND BOW IN COMPLETE SURRENDER TO HIM ALONE…HIS PLANS ARE TO DO US GOOD AND TO GIVE US A FUTURE. THANK YOU LORD GOD OF OUR SALVATION\o/ OUR EVERLASTING FATHER\o/WONDERFUL\o/COUNSELOR\o/GOD WITH US\o/ GOD FOR US\o/ GOD IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY\o/

    \o/🔥👑🔥J E S U S🔥👑🔥\o/

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AuntB
November 23, 2020

Thank you Jesus for tangible and intangible good things, so many that our feeble human minds cannot remember them all. Amen.

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Deborah Ledford
November 23, 2020

I am thankful first that I am a born again child of God, made possible by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I am thankful to be an American, living in the land of the free. I am thankful that I can call out to God to render mercy to us as a nation and that my voice is but one of thousands calling to Him to heal our land and her people of the satanic forces that have been allowed to grip us. I pray repentantly that we Christians sat back and did not exercise our right to vote in previous elections which allowed evil forces to invade this country as they have and we are now battling for the very life of our country. I raise my voice to God, remembering that we battle principalities and powers of evil, rulers of darkness. This battle is being fought in the heavenlies. I am thankful that I have read the last book of God’s word and I know who wins. I am thankful that I know we are not fighting with carnal weapons, but with the Creator of the universe at our side. We have a host of warring angels on assignment in this battle. They are all around us. Our strength may fail, but they are all powerful, pulling down strongholds across our land that we love. I am thankful to join my voice of supplication with the army of believers God is raising up through this site .

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    Joyce
    November 23, 2020

    Yes and even just as the three Hebrew children said…our GOD IS WELL ABLE TO DELIVER US…OH HE MOST CERTAINLY IS WELL CAPABLE IN ALL WAYS TO DELIVER US EVEN THIS TIME…BUT…BUT…BUT EVEN IF GOD DOESN’T DELIVER US WE CAN BE COMFORTED AND CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT you oh enemy of my God MAY VERY WELL DRAG AMERICA DOWN TO HER KNEES IN DEFEAT…BUT you WILL NEVER EVER HAVE WHAT you MOST WANT IN your core being and in this fight…you CAN NEVER …WILL NEVER… NOT EVER WILL you DETHRONE OUR GLORIOUS AND MIGHTY KING…
    🗣🔥💨🔥LONG LIVE OUR BLESSED KING🔥👑 JESUS👑🔥. HE IS INDEED KING OF kings and LORD OF lords NOW YESTERDAY AND FOREVER MORE AND TO HIM BE THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER!! AMEN AMEN AMEN
    OH HOW WE THANK YOU FATHER OUR GOD FOR COMFORTING THE COMFORTLESS BY THE TRUTH AND THE WISDOM OF YOUR WORD AND SPIRIT\o/ 🔥👑🔥J E S U S🔥👑🔥

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