In God We Trust

“In God We Trust”

In Isaiah chapter 54, we read;

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return without watering the ground. They cause plants to sprout and grow, making seeds for the people and bread for the farmer. The same is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do.” 54:10,11

Listen - I am totally convinced that God wants to make some things happen through His word today. And as we begin our time together – we will be reading together several passages that will appear on the screen…

Stand Up...if you’re still in shock this morning.

We all have been wandering around in a haze, in a daze, for six days now. Like the clouds of smoke, soot and debris that has blanket lower Manhattan – a dark cloud has blanketed the heart & soul of nearly every American.

We feel helpless, we’re confused, we’re angry, we’re numb - AND blown away by the events of this past week. A powerful storm has blown in from New York and Washington, AND it has knocked us off our feet, and because of it we will walk unsteady for the rest of our lives.

There’s a lot we don’t know. There’s a lot we’ll never know. There is much about this week will never understand,

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand…” Psalm 40:1,2

Please Be Seated. (Pause in Silence.)

Stand Up...if you’re angry this morning.

What word works?

Unbelievable? Unimaginable? Unthinkable? Horrific? Tragic? Devastating?

What words can be put together?

How Could This Happen? Who Would Do This? Who Could Do This? Can I ever be certain of anything again?

“To you, O Lord, I Lift my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.” Psalm 25:1-3

Please Be Seated. (Pause in Silence.)

Stand Up...if you’ve have got questions this morning?

How could we be so vulnerable? How do we fight against “shadows?” How do we ever step into an airplane or a skyscraper again? How do we ever feel safe again? How do we make our children feel safe again?

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh when my enemies attack me, they will stumble and fall.” Ps 27:1,2

Please Be Seated. (Pause in Silence.)

Stand Up...if your heart is breaking over all the pain that so many people are suffering.

[I’m going to mention some who have suffered – and after I mention them – I’d like for you to say, Lord have mercy”]

United Flight 93: Lord, have mercy.

United Flight 175: Lord, have mercy.

American Flight 11: Lord, have mercy.

American Flight 77: Lord, have mercy.

World Trade Center, NYC: Lord, have mercy.

The Pentagon, Washington, DC: Lord, have mercy.

The families who have lost loved ones; Lord, have mercy

Who can ever forget the images of two 110-story buildings filled with people collapsing into rubble? Of trapped secretaries, stockbrokers, moms, dads, husbands and wives - seeing a 90-story jump a more hopeful choice than remaining in a fiery furnace? Of hundreds of firefighters and dozens of police officers losing their lives saving others in a war zone? Of a disaster movie being produced and directed by Satan right in front of our eyes? Who doesn’t feel a loss that’s unspeakable and almost unbearable? Who here, is isn’t in need of some kind of comfort?

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quite waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.” Ps 23:1-4

Be Seated. (Pause in Silence.)

Stand Up...if you need God this morning.

CNN newscaster Judy Woodruff admitted on television “Even if you don’t believe in God, at times like this you want to reach out to a higher being for salvation.”

Yes at a time like this we need God, and not the watery, feel-good, "Chicken-Soup-for-the-Soul" God. But the unmovable, unshakable, God, we need – the God who is; all present, all knowing and all powerful, when the God who is the alpha and omega – the God who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords… We need the Lord God Almighty – the Great “I Am”