(Editor's Note: The following opinion column does not constitute an endorsement of any political party or candidate on the part of Newsmax.)
Only a few months ago, many of my Christian friends were bemoaning the fate of America. They could not understand how evil could be so ascendant over our nation’s inherent goodness.
Some concluded that the spiritual vacuum ensuing from driving God out of American culture during the last 60-plus years had been filled by evil forces now manifest in taking America to new lows.
But we should never forget that God is in control.
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that man’s waywardness will be corrected, for "it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
It may be that God has allowed to happen in America what he previously let happen in ancient times with the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites, due to sin, idolatry, and faithlessness.
The United States is passing through an extremely dark and corrupt period of dishonesty and deceitful rule.
God is crying out to wake up Americans.
Given our relative affluence combined with their complacency, normalcy bias and denial, Many Americans have been slow to awaken.
But now things are changing with alacrity.
In the events of the last few weeks, the hidden hand of God is seemingly working in the most unexpected way.
First, the Democratic Party is self-destructing.
The party and its deep-state puppet masters chose a compromised, doddering candidate to be their flag-bearer and presidential candidate.
A man purportedly less-than-ethical and easily controlled.
The result?
Open borders to accelerate America’s demise, allowing entry of America-hating foreign militants, terror organizations, and criminal drug and child-trafficking cartels.
Domestically, merit has been undermined by requiring the imposition of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in all government agencies.
Meanwhile. unbridled lawfare has been unleashed, weaponizing justice and destroying lives through costly politically driven litigation and prosecutions.
For those willing and able to see all of this, it is increasingly clear that Democrats have betrayed common sense American interests.
They have lost whatever shred of moral authority they previously claimed.
Regardless of Joe Biden being forced out of running for a second term, the Democratic Party is left with no candidate who can defeat Donald Trump.
Second, on July 12, Federal Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents felony case against Trump with a double slap-down of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith — on the grounds that the former had unconstitutionally appointed the latter.
Third, only a day later, the attempted assassination on Trump at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally changed everything.
The world saw our 45th president bloodied from a wound by a bullet, which would have taken his life, but for heaven’s timely turning his head, causing the bullet to pierce his ear rather than his skull that had been in the line of fire a fraction of a second before.
Trump’s image was instantly elevated in the U.S. and globally with photographs of him with blood on his face and fist in the air showing resilience and a superhuman fighting spirit to defend the American flag in the background.
Choreographed by God, that iconic Trump photograph reminded everyone of America’s most famous World War II image — that of six U.S. Marines victoriously planting the U.S. flag during the Battle of Iwo-Jima.
Fourth, a few days later the Republican National Convention began.
On display was a GOP that showed greater diversity and more unity than ever before.
When it is obvious that even the smartest and most prescient could not begin to orchestrate this amazing turn around, we must consider that the almighty has been at work through imperfect people, as all sinners are. Now, Donald Trump is recognized as having been uniquely raised up to lead America.
In several vital ways despite stark contrasts in style, the 45th and soon to be 47th President Donald Trump and the two-term 1st President George Washington have a great deal in common in terms of qualities of character to lead aginst the odds.
Washington experienced the protective intervention of providence twenty years before he would be chosen as the commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775.
Washington was then 22 years old, serving as the junior-most officer under British General Edward Braddock during the French and Indian War.
Marching and riding through an open field, surrounded by trees, Indian sharpshooters ambushed their battalion of about 1400 troops, training their rifles first on all the officers on horseback.
In short order, Braddock and every one of his officers were on the ground dead or dying.
Washington continued under continuous fire on his third horse, after the first two had been shot. Try as they would, the Indians could not take Washington down as he persisted in organizing a retreat.
In a letter to his brother composed later that evening, Washington wrote, " . . . by the miraculous care of Providence, that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had four bullets through my coat… yet escaped unhurt."
This experience shaped the rest of Washington’s life, making faith and trust in God a permanent part of his persona, giving him courage to always lead his Revolutionary War troops from the front.
He was confident that he had the protection of the almighty.
Now, Trump has also experienced the protective hand of God, augmenting his faith, and reinvigorating his courage.
Washington persisted for six long years leading the Continental Army, ultimately winning surrender by the British, although he lost more battles than he won.
As for Trump — who is now in his ninth year fighting the deep state — his persistence record exceeds that of Washington.
No matter — as faith, courage and persistence are the essential leadership character qualities needed now for the rebirth of American liberty just as they were in assuring victory of American independence in 1781.
Scott S. Powell, a member of the Committee on the Present Danger: China and senior fellow at Discovery Institute, is the author of "Rediscovering America," a new release in the history genre. You may reach him at scottp@discovery.org. Read Scott S. Powell's Reports — More Here.