Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.”
All week we have been bombarded with the tragedy of the Attacking of America 10 years ago. The news networks are filled with so much information on this horrible terrorist act, I can’t even bear to watch it anymore. The secular world has been telling you how and what to think about this tragedy and many of the news outlets don’t even call it an act of terrorism any more, they come from a worldly, it’s America’s fault, point of view. But some events in human history impact us so greatly that we will forever have engraved in our minds where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news of this attack. You no doubt remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news. I’ll never forget where I was on 9-11. I was in Washington DC, near the old executive office behind the White House – right where flight 93 is suspected to have targeted, about ready to testify before a committee on international trade. Those experiences and images are forever embedded in my memory. Back then President Bush had called for National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. But, why haven’t we had them since? Why is Mayor Bloomberg keeping prayer and clergy away from the memorial services today, does nobody care about God anymore? All we hear from our elected officials is about embracing those who want to do harm to us in the name of the “Religion of Peace”. Unity and service projects are how we are supposed to remember those who have fallen, not by getting down on our knees and praying. The National Cathedral in Washington DC is having a prayer vigil called “a call to compassion” today. Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddhists, Jews, and Catholics have been invited to speak and pray. Did you notice that I didn’t say Protestants? That is right, not a single denomination of the protestant faith has been invited to speak. Not even the Episcopalian priest whose charge the National Cathedral belongs to is allowed to speak. Why is the largest faith group in American, not allowed to speak? What is going on here? It really saddens me. I guess it’s up to us to keep up prayer and remembrance, but what should we remember?
We need To Remember - the Cost in Human Lives. On September 11th, 2001 nearly 3,000 people lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. It was the most devastating attack ever to happen on American soil; costing more lives than the attack on Pearl Harbor (2,500 Americans died then), and almost as many Union soldiers died at Gettysburg (3100). Nineteen cowardly individuals, who killed in the name of the “religion of peace”, as it is called by our leaders, carried out this insidious attack. We need to be careful not to forget the lives that were lost on that dreadful day and those that have died since from other related causes, as well as not forgetting the lives of those who have been changed forever. We cannot forget the widows who are raising children alone, those who lost spouses, friends and those parents who will never hold or talk to their children again. While we remember those 3000 people, we need to know that God is here to comfort. Listen to the Apostle Paul in (II Corinthians 1:3-4), “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” His ear is open to hear your cries and His arms are open to hold you tight. It is in times like this where we need to “comfort” those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. We also need to point others to the throne of Grace that they might receive mercy and grace in their time of need.
We Need To Remember - the Extraordinary Acts of Heroism and Compassion. We can’t forget the heroism shown by ordinary people who rose to the occasion in extraordinary ways. (By the way, Mayor Bloomberg won’t have any first responders at the 911 remembrance ceremony either). Reactions to that crisis, has brought forth both the best in people and has also called forth any number heroic acts, some recorded and many that were not. In remembering that tragic day: let us gain a renewed respect for those who have proven themselves to be true heroes! The 343 firefighters, the police, and rescue workers who risked their lives and even gave their lives to save others are true heroes. One thing September 11 has shown us is that we never know…none of us ever know how much time we have—or how much time those around us have…therefore it is imperative that we spread the news of the saving Gospel of Christ with everyone we can! There is a story that was told about the actions of a fellow named Al Braca. Al worked on the 105th floor of Tower One. When he realized that they were trapped in the building and would be unable to escape, Al shared the gospel with 50 of his co-workers and led them in prayer. Some of those same individuals had in the past mocked him for his faith. If September 11 can teach us anything…. anything good at all…certainly it shows us that by following the model of Christ….ordinary Christians like you and me can be heroes!!! And who hasn’t heard of the heroic act of the passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93? One of those passengers was named Todd Beamer, in a conversation with a telephone operator, he told that plane had been high-jacked and that the passengers were discussing ways to overpower the highjackers. He ended his conversation by asking the operator to pray with him. That prayer was Psalm 23. The last words the operator heard him say were “Are you guys ready, Let’s Roll.” The heroic sacrificial action by those passengers to bring down the plane no doubt saved many lives as the highjackers were denied their ultimate target. Some have suggested its target was the White House and the President of the United States.
What We Need To Remember - Islam Is Not Just Another Denomination. The Media has made much of reporting on the religion of Islam. Perhaps in an attempt to get people not to react negatively to Muslims in this country, an effort has been made to normalize the adherents to Islam. But let’s not be confused. Islam is not just another denomination. Islam is not like the UCC down the street or a new Assembly of God starting up. Just because they worship one God does not mean that it is same God. Suffice it to say today, that although everyone has the freedom to worship as they see fit in this country, we do not to nor should we accept that Allah is just another name for Jehovah. We Need To Remember - What This Has Revealed To Us About State Of The Church. Perhaps most distressing of all is what this crisis has revealed about our country’s relationship with God. One-third of Americans said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were a "life-altering experience" that caused them to change their priorities, according to Gallup. Nearly half of conservative Christians -- 46 percent -- say the attacks caused them to change their lives, according to the poll of 1,019 adults. Non-whites and women under the age of 50 were the most likely to report a change after the attacks. While 66 percent of Americans say the attacks have not changed their lives, more than half of those who have shifted priorities say they are spending more time with their families and friends. Immediately after the attacks, church attendance spiked for several weeks, rising in some places to as much as half the regular adult attendance. That attendance surge was short-lived though, for levels were back to normal by November. And despite a surge in worship attendance immediately after the attacks, another Gallup poll shows no longstanding change in the religious observance of most Americans. I have even heard some suggest that they were lower than prior to Sept 11. George Barna, the pollster of religion, professed his amazement saying, “I was among those who fully expected to see an intense spiritual reaction to the terrorist attacks. The fact that we saw no lasting impact from the most significant act of war against our country on our own soil says something about the spiritual complacency of the American public.” He went on to say that he felt that the influx was due to irregulars (those who attend once every month or two) suddenly returning on a consistent basis for a month or so, before they fell back into their “regular pattern of irregular attendance.” George Gallup Jr. said the terrorist attacks have had a "powerful but short-lived impact on the spirituality of the U.S. populace." Still, Gallup found only a slight rise in the personal importance of religion for most Americans. A May 2001 poll found that 57 percent said personal religion was "very important," and that number rose to 64 percent a week after the attacks and by Dec. that poll saw that number fall back to 60 percent. Americans, however, seem to have an increased sense that religion is playing a more important role in the larger society and last February, 39 percent of Americans said religion was increasing its influence in society. I really hope that is true.
We Need To Be Reminded Of Where To Look For Our Strength. (Psalm 46) says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” In this psalm, David encourages believers in times of trouble. Psalm 46 is famous as the inspiration of Martin Luther’s great Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” When David said, “God is our refuge” what he meant was that our sense of security is not derived from our nations defenses but that it rests in our faith in God. God and God alone is our refuge in times such as these. As believer’s we need to remember that our feeling of security goes beyond the measures of home land defense, beyond metal detectors, security checks, military power, political alliances or the strength of our economy. Our faith must rest solidly on a relationship with a living God. Security is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of confidence and courage in the midst of trouble. When tragedy occurs there are tears. Tears of those directly affected and tears of sympathy. David reminds us that God is not only or refuge but our “strength.” Strength is the ability to rise above tragedy even with tears in our eyes and go forward. God is not just some far off source from whom we can seek advice but this psalm tells us that he is “a very present help.” David ends this great psalm by reminding us in verse ten that it is when we are overwhelmed that we need to allow God to move. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
The Twin Towers have been destroyed and with them symbols of America’s security and prosperity. But beyond all the tragedy and the tears, the terror and the fears, one symbol still stands strong it is the cross. At times such as this, more than anything else, I believe that we need to be reminded that God cares! The Bible reveals to us that God does indeed care. The Philips translation of I Peter 5:7 says, “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties on him, for you are his personal concern.” The Living Bible para-phrases that verse with these words “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” It is comforting to know that God is aware of your feelings today and desires to comfort you. We need to be reminded that no matter what happens (floods, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks) God is Working for Good. (Romans 8:28) says, “And we know that in all things God works or the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Though these things happen and we don’t understand why these things happen and will continue to happen, we must remember that God did not and will not ever abandon us. The Apostle Paul declares in (Romans 8:35-39), “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” May God Bless our men and women in uniform; may God Bless each and every one of us; and may God Bless America.
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