America's Covenantal Foundations

God is arising to establish the covenant He swore to our forefathers. I see the primary covenantal legacy as being set by the Huguenots in Florida, whose leader Jean Ribault was martyred on 10-12, 1565 while chanting Psalm 132, and by the Pilgrims, who cut covenant with the Lord in Massachusetts on 11-11, 1620.

The Pilgrim Covenant: A Nation of Awakening
When our forefathers stood against injustice, a nation of awakening was birthed. The Pilgrims set out for the new world to establish a land of religious freedom. On November 11, 1620, they signed the Mayflower Compact, entering into covenant with Jesus Christ by dedicating our land and government to "the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith."

During both the first and second Great Awakenings, we saw two dimensions of this covenant with the Lord in manifestation. We saw God's glory -- the tangible manifestation of His presence and power -- across the land, resulting in societal transformation. And we saw evangelism -- the advancement of the Christian faith -- as unprecedented numbers of people turned to Jesus Christ.

John 11:11 declares, "Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him from slumber." I believe on 11:11, 1620, God responded to the cries of our forefathers by calling us forth as a nation of awakening. This is our covenantal heritage, and our destiny.

The Huguenots Covenant: Dwelling Place for God
Before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, another weary group came to America seeking religious freedom. Led by Jean Ribault, the Huguenots established a settlement in Ft. Caroline, Florida, again with the hope of reaching nations with the gospel.

The Huguenots at Ft. Caroline (present-day Jacksonville) were martyred at the hands of Spanish conquistadors. Jean Ribault died chanting Psalm 132, literally begging God to make this nation a dwelling place for His presence. But instead of praying, "Lord remember the afflictions of your servant David," he prayed, "Lord remember the afflictions of your servant Jean. How he swore. . . not to give rest to his eyes, nor slumber to his eyelids, until he found a dwelling place for the mighty God of Jacob."

Psalm 132 actually memorializes David's covenant with God to establish a tabernacle for His presence in Jerusalem. This covenant set the course for the rest of his life-from his time as a shepherd to shepherding Israel as king. God prospered David according to Deut. 8:18.

Establishing God's Covenant
Part of this Third Great Awakening is that covenantal blessings aborted in previous seasons will find life and expression at this time. In Amos 9:11, God prophesies that the Tabernacle of David will be restored, and its breaches repaired. We are witnessing this restoration now!

It is interesting to note that, centuries after Ribault, another forerunner was gripped by Psalm 132 and the dream in God's heart for our land to be a dwelling place for His presence. At the outset of his ministry, Mike Bickle came into covenant with the Lord, according to Psalm 132 -- a covenant that eventually brought forth the International House of Prayer.

And on 11-11, 2009, some 444 years after Ribault's martyrdom and 389 years after the Pilgrim Covenant, Holy Spirit fell and a move of awakening began! The Pilgrim Covenant and the Huguenot Covenant, our two primary foundational covenants that set the course for America, have both come to a point of maturity and release in this hour!

By Jon and Jolene Hamill
Maryland Coordinators
Reformation Prayer Network