 Weekly Devotional |
November 10, 2026 · Anne Barkley |
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” |
This year our nation continues to recognize and celebrate milestones regarding the past and an appeal to rededicate our commitment to God and to our biblical foundation.
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This week God has highlighted to me many anniversary dates of significance that I believe He wants us to consider at this pivotal point in our nation. He also brought me to three biblical examples when God required a test or choice from His people regarding their ability to trust Him in what seemed impossible situations. |
The first is the miracle crossing of the Red Sea for Israel in Exodus 13–14. |
The second is the declaration of Joshua in Joshua 24:15 challenging the Israelites to choose between serving the God of Israel or the gods of their ancestors when he said: “Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” |
The third is the account of Elijah in the miracle at Mount Carmel against the prophets of Baal: |
“Then Elijah approached all the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people did not answer a word.” (1 Kings 18:21) |
We as a nation are facing times of critical choices—will we trust in God or this world’s systems organized upon the principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and sinful pleasure driven by the god of this world? |
We will examine important dates on our calendar at this time that are rooted and grounded in declarations and covenants from our nation’s foundations. |
God is looking upon America to see if we trust Him! |
On a day recently celebrated as Halloween, rooted in death, evil and fear, the President, for the first time in the history of our nation, issued a presidential message on October 31 for Reformation Day dedicated to Christians across our country commemorating the Protestant Reformation and its enduring message of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. |
“Five hundred years ago, William Tyndale—inspired by the work of Martin Luther—advanced the Protestant Reformation’s devotion to Holy Scripture through the publication of the first New Testament printed in English, shaping the language of the Bibles that would fortify the faith and resolve of America’s founding generation. |
“The Sacred Scriptures helped form the religious convictions that formed our young Nation’s founding ideals of God-given rights and individual liberty, a spiritual inheritance we honor as we continue to reflect on 250 glorious years of American Independence. |
“The Bible remains a cornerstone of our Nation’s character and upholds our steadfast devotion to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. |
“Guided by an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, my Administration is working to restore the moral and religious foundations that have sustained our Republic for generations… |
“As Christians across our country unite in faith and fellowship this Reformation Day, I send my heartfelt prayers for a meaningful celebration and encourage each of you to draw renewed strength from God’s Word as we carry forward the blessings of faith and freedom throughout our beloved Nation.” |
The motto “In God We Trust” began appearing on Union currency in 1864 during the Civil War, prompted by a minister’s request to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase to recognize God on currency. |
After the Civil War, the United States saw a rise in secularism. As a result, many Americans started to believe that using religious language in a governmental context was inconsistent with the values of the country. |
In the 1950s, Americans during the Cold War found themselves increasingly wary of anything reminiscent of the Soviets and communism after the end of World War II. |
Americans were less averse to using religious language in governmental settings. A 1955 law required “In God We Trust” to appear on all American currency, and the 1956 Act, signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, made it the official U.S. motto. |
It distinguished the U.S. from the atheistic Soviet Union. Democratic Congressman Charles E. Bennett of Florida sponsored the currency bill, stating that the United States “was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with a firm trust in God.” |
This year marks 70 years since “In God We Trust” became our official motto. |
The number 70 in the Bible symbolizes completeness, fullness, divine order, and universality, derived from the factors 7 (perfection) and 10 (completeness/God’s law). |
It represents the totality of humanity through the 70 nations descended from Noah and the 70 members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt. |
God is calling this nation to return to trust in Him so that He can bless it again. |
Anti-Communism Week Proclamation |
In line with the origin of our nation’s motto, our President signed a proclamation declaring the week of November 1 through November 7 as Anti-Communism Week. |
“For more than a century, human freedom has been threatened by communist and socialist ideologies that eliminate individual opportunity, subjugate individuals to the state, and extinguish the God-given rights upon which free nations are built. |
“This Anti-Communism Week, we are reminded of the devastating consequences of state control over human thought, creativity, and political expression, resulting in suffering, poverty, exploitation, violence, and misery for millions, and we renew our commitment to protect the sacred values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the chains of tyranny… |
“The story of America is, above all, a story of a Nation uniting as one, standing up to tyranny, and charting its own destiny as a free and self-governing Republic… |
“Together, we will defend our Constitution, which protects our freedoms; uphold the dignity of every individual; strengthen the free market, which has made us the most prosperous country ever to exist; and ensure that the promise of America remains alive and well for generations to come.” |
November 11 in the History of Our Nation |
Without a doubt, the most significant occurrence highlighting November 11 in our nation was the signing of the document called the Mayflower Compact in 1620 that bound the Pilgrims together when they arrived in New England. |
The core members of the Pilgrims’ immigrant group were Separatists, members of a Puritan sect that had split from the Church of England, the only legal church in England at that time. |
Through sacrifice and perseverance, they covenanted with God to establish a nation dedicated to serving Him in truth and freedom. |
It began with the words, “In the name of God, Amen.” |
They laid out their declaration in this document: |
“Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant, and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid…” |
This year marks the 406th year of the true spiritual roots of the dedication of this nation and its motto “In God We Trust.” |
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (100 years ago this year), with these words: |
“Whereas the 11th of November of 1918 marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations… |
“Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.” |
It commemorated the 1918 Armistice Day ending World War I at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” |
Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Ala., organized a Veterans Day parade for that city on November 11, 1947, to honor all of America’s veterans for their loyal service. |
The First World War, unfortunately, was not the war to end all wars, and both World War II and the Korean War dramatically increased the number of American war veterans. |
Recognizing that Armistice Day was limited to a specific conflict and group of soldiers, the name was changed on June 1, 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. |
A Call to Put Our Trust in God—Our Red Sea Moment |
The Israelites were greatly afraid when they saw Pharaoh and his army drawing near. (Exodus 14:10) |
“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13–14) |
These details show God’s hands-on involvement in the crossing of the Red Sea. God rescued His people and closed the door to any possible return to Egypt. |
In tangible ways, the Lord fought for His people as He promised. When God sets out to deliver His people and gain glory for Himself, He will make both happen. |
Israel did not cross the Red Sea because the waters were no longer a threat, but because the power of God was greater than the waters that surrounded them! |
The same God who brought Israel out of Egypt was faithful to bring them through the Red Sea and onward toward the land of promise! |
It may seem that we as a nation and as Christians are between the devil and the deep blue sea. We are to keep the faith and not allow the pressure of what we see happening to cause us to doubt the promise of God! |
God is the God who begins and the God who completes, the God who opens the way and the God who brings His people through! |
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) |
God swallowed up the Egyptian enemies, and as promised, they saw them no more. |
What we see happening now is the beginning of the swallowing of the enemy and their rebellion that must be given a choice or justice cannot truly come. |
God will not allow this nation to be set up to fail; therefore, we must not be moved and trust in God who will not be moved, who will never fail and will rule and reign forever! |
Let us rejoice in the mystery of what He is doing now to unlock this nation from the opposing agendas. |
God will cause there to be an opening that is not the work of man’s hands but God’s Justice! |
God has given us His Word, His Son, His Blood Covenant, His Spirit and His armor. |
God will destroy the power of the enemy over this nation. God has the final say; He is Justice; we will see it! |
Trusting God Through the Impossible:
Exodus 13–14 · Exodus 14:10, 13–14, 30–31 |
Choosing Whom We Will Serve:
Joshua 24:15 · 1 Kings 18:21, 36–39 |
The Seventy Nations and Jacob’s Family:
Genesis 10 · Genesis 46:27 · Exodus 1:5 |
Confidence in God’s Faithfulness:
Philippians 1:6 |
God’s Provision and Spiritual Armor:
Ephesians 6:10–18 |
Preserving Betty Jo Hardy’s devotional legacy and continuing the ministry through Anne Barkley. |
| From The Throne Ministry | A weekly devotional ministry continuing the legacy of Betty Jo Hardy through Anne Barkley. | You are receiving this devotional because you subscribed to From the Throne or previously requested to receive these messages. | |
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