Remembering September 11, 2001

Yesterday, my husband and I were trudging through the almost surreal and certainly horrific events of September 11th, explaining it to our son for the first time.  We realized that the only way we could possibly make even a modicum of sense from it was to frame it through a biblical lens.  And as we pray today for God to comfort those who were personally affected with a loss in their circle of friends or family, I realized that what I also pray for is that we can truly and deeply grasp some biblical truths from this, and return to a pure and whole-hearted devotion to our Creator, as a nation and as individuals.

1.  Evil exists.

My son loves good guy/bad guy scenarios–whether in movies, books, or his own vivid imagination.  He pits good against evil every day with his army guys, matchbox cars or detailed drawings in his sketchbook.  And although, in real life, none of us are “good” of our own accord (Romans 3:23), the underlying principle of a battle being waged in the unseen world in which we are all players, is very real (Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”).  Unfortunately, not only does evil exist in partnership with free will to commit that evil, but not one of us is immune–apart from God, we are a slave to our sin nature which is at work tempting us to all sorts of evil, and September 11th reminds us of that.  It reminds us that we need a Savior.

2.  Death is certain.

This life is but a blip on the screen of eternity.  My heart breaks for those who lost a loved on in the terrorist attacks 10 years ago.  My heart also breaks for those who have lost loved ones by other means.  We all have, or will face that sorrow, unfortunately.  And we all must face death ourselves one day.  Are you certain, without any doubt, that you are going to spend eternity in heaven with God?  If not, do you know how you can be?

3.  What’s the Point?

My family is in the middle of a painful trial right now and I can tell you with certainty that the Lord God is the only thing fully sustaining us.  I also know that I never want to face a single trial without Him.  Furthermore, what’s the point of going through a trial if it doesn’t bring us more to the end of ourselves and fully surrendered at the feet of our Savior?  Self-help books may say, “trials make you stronger,” and maybe in the short-term that could be true, but sooner or later our own resources will run out, and it is only in our weakness that Christ’s strength abounds (2 Corinthians 12:9).  It’s only as we become less central to our lives that He becomes more in us (John 3:30).  I see trials as totally futile unless they bring us to Jesus.  Otherwise, what’s the point?  They would just be terribly difficult things that have no lasting purpose!  September 11th, 2001 brought many to Jesus.  I pray for our nation, and us individually, to turn to Him again, as our Sustainer, Savior, and Friend.

Remembering September 11th

Today, we remember a very sad day in our nation’s history.  We remember what evil is capable of if allowed to run amuck in a person’s heart and mind.  We remember the innocent victims, the heroes, and their grieving families.  We remember how “one nation under God” can put aside political partisanship and come together to turn to each other and our Creator for comfort, meaning, and redemption.  May we remember– today, tomorrow, and for always.

President George W. Bush’s Address to the Nation

September 11, 2001

“Good evening.  Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.  The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.  Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. 

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger.  These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.  But they have failed; our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.  Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.  These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.  And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature.  And we responded with the best of America–with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. . .

Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened.  And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken [of] through the ages in Psalm 23: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.’

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.  America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.  None of us will ever forget this day.  Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you.  Good night, and God bless America.”

Source:  “We Will Prevail,” President George W. Bush, Edited by National Review