Well church, this is certainly an interesting and somber week, isn’t it? Just the sound or term 9/11 stirs up many emotions in us. Time passes by quickly, yet memories can last a lifetime. Let me welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long online church service. Everyone is welcome in this place.
It is hard to believe ten years have gone by since that fateful day, 9/11/01. The day that changed life as we know it. Our country once again witnessed evil in its purest form. Perhaps we had forgotten how inhumane man could be to each other. The reverberations ten years later are still cascading across our land.
Whenever evil strikes with such force Christians, or as I prefer to say believers, are challenged, aren’t they? How does one hold onto the teachings of Jesus in such times? When hate, vengeance and outrage appear to be appropriate, where does love, peace, mercy and grace fit into the picture?
There is only one true way to discern a proper response to things of this awful nature. God’s Word, which is the Bible, will always give us proper direction to be victorious in every area of our life. As God spoke to Israel in tough times, he also speaks to us. God’s words are universally true to all believers. In Isaiah 41:10-13 God gives us instruction in times of trouble and despair. Let’s face it folks. Since 9/11 many Americans have suffered mentally, financially and some physically. I believe that is a good description of trouble and despair, don’t you? All of the above is compounded and magnified by fear. Isaiah 41:10-13 gives God’s instruction. God says:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them and shall not find them, even them that contended with thee: They that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee.”
These words of God to us should help bring us out of despair and lead us back to a state of confidence in him, in ourselves and in our country. As we face the threat of radical Muslim extremists (not I might add, the regular person born into that faith) It is not the hard working family man who keeps his focus on living and surviving who is our enemy and we should stop treating them as such. No, we will win that person and his family to Jesus by love, not by hate.
As for the radical Muslim extremists whose perverted mind and worship of a false God leads him to hatred and destruction, God says clearly do not fear them. Why? Because God, our heavenly Father, is with us. Our enemies in the spirit are his enemies, compared to God they are nothing. God will take us (meaning the believers in this country) by the hand and he tells us – don’t worry, I will help you.
In these troubled times God wants us to turn to him and to follow his ways. You know, in the last ten years, man has done some strange things in the name of liberty, haven’t we? We have fought two long wars and taken away or stifled our civil liberties in the name of liberty. Now I must tell you, I am an Army veteran and not against war. I believe it was right and Godly to take out the Al Qaeda and Taliban. After all, they murdered close to four-thousand civilians without cause. In truth, people of all faiths and cultures were in the Twin Towers, including many hard working Muslims.
Once we as a Godly nation beat the Al Qaeda and Taliban we should have (In my opinion) brought our troops home to a heroes welcome. And let me be clear, I do mean all of our troops. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great country. God has blessed us beyond measure. The United States of America was built upon Godly principles. God loves us because he knows the heart of America is based on his love for us, and our love for his son, Jesus Christ.
It is time to check ourselves. We must return to righteousness and walk in the way of the Lord. We cannot keep preaching love while walking in hate toward our fellow man. We should look at the peoples of all nations as God looks at us. There may be times that we need to fight wars. There may be times that we must defend our nation. God understands that. The tenth anniversary of 9/11 is a somber reminder of that fact. But 9/11 is also another reminder. It reminds us of the goodness of America. Who can forget the heroic efforts and sacrifice the first responders showed us? Do you remember how people of all cultures prayed for each other? That, my friends, is the call for this week.
I am asking this 24/7, online church to pray for America. Pray for the survivors and families of those who lost their lives on 9/11. God desires we love and live in peace. Actually, those are his thoughts for you. Please turn with me to Jeremiah 29:11-12. Jeremiah the prophet gives us God’s thoughts for you. God says:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”
Think and meditate on these words meant just for you. God says I will hearken unto you. May these words comfort you on this anniversary date of 9/11/01.
God Bless You,
Bro. Bob
A Special Note: As the above message points out, tragedies like 9-11 presents a challenge to believers. It makes us realize, that no matter how strong we are in God, sometimes we just cry. We are presenting a new music video sung by Jason Crabb titled, "Sometimes I Cry." We encourage you to watch this video. We believe it will be a blessing to you!
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