He still uses the “broken, busted and disgusted”

HUGE SHOUT OUT to Robert Hunt!! 

I can almost hear some of you ask: “Who is he” followed closely by “Why should I care?!?”  If you will allow me, I will answer both questions.

Question #1 – Who was Robert Hunt?  Well, Robert Hunt was a disgraced preacher who was fired from his church in 1602 due to his wife’s adulterous affairs; to add salt to an already open wound, he then was fired from a second church in 1606 over rumors he was having an affair with a servant.  To add insult to injury, Robert Hunt was not in the “cool kids club” within the professional church of the day since he sided with the Geneva Bible folks that actually thought the Bible should be affordable, available, and understandable enough that every day people so as to advance the Kingdom of God in the Walmart’s, Baumhauers’ wings, at the office and in their homes, not just inside the sacred four walls of the Monarchy-influenced church buildings. 

So, in late 1606, a “broke, busted, and disgusted” and unpopular preacherman took the only job he could find as the Protestant Chaplain for an 3 ship expedition to the new world.  The trip from England is recorded to have been absolutely horrid… bad weather, lots of delays, no social distancing, poor sanitation, and no internet service.  After nearly 5 months at sea, this cold, sea-tossed band of 105 men and boys reached what is now modern day Virginia Beach, VA in late April 1607.  

Then something really unique happened that got my attention… despite being water-logged, sea sick and cooped up for nearly 5 months with 105 smelly men, they all agreed to stay on ship for 3 days of fasting and prayer in order to prepare themselves to set foot on the new land…. By the way, not everyone on this expedition were “varsity Christians” but agreed to Robert Hunt’s spiritual leadership.  After these 3 days of spiritual preparation, Reverend Robert Hunt led the men to shore and planted a large wooden cross that had been brought over from England.  He then led them in this Covenantal prayer: 

We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this Land, along with England, be Evangelist to the World. May all who see this Cross, remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this Covenant and in this most noble work that the Holy Scriptures may be fulfilled.

Now let me attempt to give part of the answer for Question #2 – Why should we care?  First off, this historical fact proves that our founding fathers intentionally dedicated America to God by way of a Covenant.  This legally now allows me as one of those Robert Hunt prayed for to “INVOKE COVENANT” despite how dark and sin-filled America is right now.  God is not through with America, but it is and will only be for HIS Purposes and HIS Glory.  Robert Hunt’s pray was conceived in his pursuit of God despite his many flaws and moral failures, despite his humiliation, and during the 5 months of being stuck in a smelly boat; and truly matured in what can only have been a Spirit-led decision to fast and pray for 3 days prior to going ashore (NOTE: just like Joshua did with the nation of Israel before they finally crossed over into their promised land).  Despite a broken life, Robert obeyed when it counted, and I know now that God has a legal Covenant with America, with me, with my generations…. This now makes the prayer found in Psalms 25:6-7 real and applicable to me and to all of us who are asking God to heal and reset America:

Remember, Lord, your great loving-kindness (Hebrew word is HESED – Covenant Loyalty), for You have always acted in this manner.  Do not remember/hold against me (America) the sins of my (America’s) youth or our rebellious acts.  According to Your loving-kindness (HESED – Covenant Loyalty) remember me/America, for Your Goodness/Name’s sake.

Even as I write this, I am reminded that GOD never changes and never forgets a promise/Covenant (Malachi 3:6; Ps 89:34).  All YAWHEH is wanting is for HIS kids to repent, seek Him, and believe Him for healing and restoration for our land (2 Chron 7:14). 

Last thing for now: Robert Hunt’s story should give us all hope… Hope that a God who knows and sees all can still use “broken, busted and disgusted” for His Glory and Purposes.  Who’s to say that Robert Hunt’s major purpose in life wasn’t to lead the establishment of a spiritually legal Covenant with God so that generations later God could legally move in America with the 3^rd Great Awakening because of you and me simply standing on an already established Covenant by faith?  Despite himself, Robert was used by God, and the fruit of Robert’s obedience is still unmeasured yet. 

To wrap up, here is the SO WHAT to me…. Something happened while stuck inside that boat.  In my mind, I doubt Robert had great joy or vision when they set sail in late 1606 for the new world… he did, however, have the weight of the world on his shoulders and perhaps was hoping for a new start (my speculation).  I just know that I can identify with him in certain aspects of my own life and journey were I feel like a failure and beyond being useful.  But something happened on that boat!  In my mind’s eye, I think that God allowed the journey to take the time it did in order to prepare Robert’s heart and to align with God’s Purpose for this new world… God sees the end before the beginning (Isaiah 46), and knew that if America was ever to be established and used in God’s intended purpose, there needed to be legal grounds established.  And God chose Robert Hunt for such a time as then (and such a time as now).

One of my favorite leaders is Scott Silcox… he recently stepped on my toes when he said that “many of us are too focused on our supposed Destiny that we miss the right now”.  Man, that looks good on PowerPoint, but sucks when I am stuck on a smelly boat ride (which in some ways, I am and have been for many years).  Instead of complaining about the ride or longingly day-dreaming about the Destination (or my comfort), I am re-challenged to ask God to tenderize my heart and give me His downloads.

I truly do look forward to meeting Reverend Robert Hunt someday, and know he is in the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12) cheering America on to turn to God and allow YAWHEH to bring His healing and reset to the original intentions of our 1607 Covenant Purposes.