September 11, 2001--the "second day to live in infamy." All Americans alive on this day will never forget the horrific sights of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 slamming into those majestic towers. It looked like we were watching a movie, only this time it was not a staged event. What we saw was real. From there we learned of the attack on the Pentagon, the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania and the later collapse of the twin towers. Yes, it was a day to live in infamy. From shock to rage to disbelief we swung through the wide range of emotions. Who did this? Why? How many lost their lives? This maddening swirl of questions would hound and haunt us for days to come. We would come to accept the fact there would be no easy answers. President Bush said it would be a long, hard fight against the terrorists who attacked our precious nation.
All over the land flags went to half mast. People who normally ignored God now called out to Him. Most roadside business marquees sported the words GOD BLESS AMERICA. Patriotism came out full force in a land dazed at the sheer magnitude of this worst ever attack on American soil. Prayer services were called. The nation knew that they were in uncharted waters. They collectively called out to God for help. When sufficient facts were in the President spoke forcefully and eloquently of the need to unite in a long, tedious war on terrorism. He named names. He drew that figurative "line in the sand." For the first time in a long time there were no party lines. Being Republican or Democrat didn't matter. We were Americans. The motto UNITED WE STAND sprung up everywhere.
It wasn't long before America and Britain launched the war on terrorism by air strikes again the terrorists residing in Afghanistan. Where all of this will lead us is still unknown. Each day we learn of more Anthrax scares. The FBI warns us of impending terrorist reprisals for our actions against the terrorists. If we choose to, we could live in fear. Many do live that way each day.
Amidst all of these events heroes have arisen from all walks of life. Naturally we were and still are amazed at the emergency workers at the sites of the attacks. They tirelessly labored to find anyone alive amidst the rubble. Some even gave their lives in that very pursuit. We later learned of the heroes aboard Flight 93 that crashed outside Somerset, PA. Overseas our military personnel carry out heroic acts at the beckon call of their Commander-in-Chief. On the homeland front police officers, FBI and CIA agents, and others do a valiant job to understand what happened September 11 and to help avoid and prevent such attacks in the future. Even PA Governor Tom Ridge is tapped to the special job of being Director of Homeland Security, a job never before needed in this great USA. Yes, this is a great nation because of its people. "We the people of the United States" has never had a clearer "ring" than now!
Where will we go from here? Will America experience a revival? Will she truly continue this call of GOD BLESS AMERICA? When more and more body bags come home from overseas, will the ebullient patriotism of the Fall of 2001 remain? The answers to these questions remain to be answered. As I sit at this computer 48 days after September 11, I wonder if America will truly learn the lessons of "the second day to live in infamy."
Nothing catches God by surprise. He knew about those airplanes that would become cruise missiles. He knew the aftermath of the day of terror. He has something for America in this time of tragedy. But what is that lesson? We can pose some ideas at this writing, but only time will tell the complete will of God for this day and time.
In 1859, a prayer meeting that changed the nation was held at the very location of the World Trade Center. Could it be that the prayer meeting of Jeremiah Lampiere will rise out of the ruins of the WTC? We can only hope so. Those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior know that America really needs to turn back to God. The wickedness of recent decades until this present day has crescendoed to a mighty roar. Could it be that a Sovereign God had to "rise above the roar" of this wickedness through the tragedy of September 11?
No, this is not to say that God was the cause or the instigator of the terrorist acts, but the Bible says "the wrath of man shall praise Thee." (Psalm 76:10) We know He can work things together for good to them that love Him. We can remember the story of Joseph and know that God took the evil intentions and action of Joseph's jealous brothers and worked it for good. Many nations were preserved under the wise and skillful leadership of Joseph. God can work through many mysterious and marvelous ways His wonders to perform. He can turn tragedy into triumph. The Bible is replete with illustration after illustration of this very truth. Recall Daniel and his Lion's Den experience. Daniel's miraculous deliverance led the king to proclaim Daniel's God to be the God of the whole kingdom. Some who gave their lives, such as Stephen, sparked a massive movement towards all-out dedication to God. All of the Apostle Paul's trials worked for the furtherance on God's kingdom. Even the children of Israel's loss at Ai sparked a national cleansing and revival that resulted in victory over their enemies. So, you see, through good and bad, tragedy and triumph, gain and loss God has always been able to accomplish his work. Could it be that this is what he will do through September 11 for the United States? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, what can we as born-again Christians do? The most obvious thing should be daily, diligent prayer. We're not talking about mere lip service and vain repetitions, but heartfelt calling out to God for revival borne out of His mercy. There needs to be an incredible dependency. This is the desire of God for each Christian. Why would He say, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart..." if He didn't want us to do just that? Prayer is the avenue of dependent trust. When we pray in His will we have His mind. When we have His mind we then act and react in a way most pleasing to Him. We also make wise decisions and live truly righteous lives. Would not wisdom and righteousness greatly benefit this great land? Each individual Christian must take up this mantle. In so doing we will help the United States in a way no government action could ever match. While we fight a physical, mortal battle half a world away, we can also battle false belief and wickedness in the spirit of wisdom and righteousness right in our own backyard. This is what America needs. This is the rallying call in the aftermath of September 11. This is the true TALE OF THE TWIN TOWERS.
An Encouraging Word for Times Like These
