REMEMBERING 9/11
Psalm 91:14-16
Introduction
To the last generation, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was a historical marker.
What were you doing? Where were you?
To this generation, the attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia, and the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001 will be our historical marker.
What were you doing? Where were you?
Today, as a church I want us to commit to continuing to fight for what is right. It is because men and women cared enough in the past to fight, that we have freedom today. President Abraham Lincoln once said to, "… give the last full measure of devotion". He was speaking about being committed all the way to something – and the example given by the men and women on that day and today ought to be an encouragement to us to be committed to Jesus as well.
Read Psalm 91:14-16, “Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Pray
This morning, I felt that we should pause from Revelation and spend a little time looking back at the tragic events of September 11, and I believe that God chose to deliberately wait until the event had passed to not get caught up in the (pardon the word use) “trivial” remembrances. This past week we saw videos, tributes, and even calls to arms from Jihad warriors to stand up against the tyranny of the American people – but I want to ask you this morning – where is our call to arms?
Over the past few months we have been studying about a time coming upon this Earth of death, destruction, and hopelessness – and yet I believe that it seems unreal to many. Perhaps even people here in church believe that it is unreal – that it will never happen – so why bother?
On September 11, 2001, at 7:46 in the morning I was sitting at my desk when an e-mail appeared in my inbox that said a plane had hit one of the towers in NYC, and I thought surely this was some sort of tragic accident. I looked for a few things on the news, and of course saw the wreckage and immediately reflected on the passengers, their families, and what could have possibly gone wrong.
I sat stunned with an office full of people, as we watched a second plane impact the towers at 8:02 – which set off an immediate chain of events in our organization – to include my running downstairs, grabbing our commander, and securing her in an offsite location that was blast proof from any harm that may come to our unit.
In my heart, I knew that this had to be the work of evil persons, and that we were obviously at war. When the news reported the Pentagon impact shortly afterwards, my thoughts – honestly – went on auto-pilot to protect my organization and the leadership within it.
This was my battle cry – the heart of who I am as a GI – and I took it seriously.
We had a special opportunity in the auditorium where we offered students the chance to talk to someone who might help them through this time. I was able to counsel several young students who had families in the NY area, and we talked at length about their fears, and their desire to immediately run home and protect the family. They were instantly filled with patriotism, and they understood why they joined the military.
This was their battle cry – the heart of who they were – and they were committed to it.
Psalm 91 became a comforting reflection for me that entire day, and as I patrolled the compound ensuring that there were no threats that would harm my unit – or my family who lived just a few miles away.
The Word says that God promises to rescue us – to protect us – WHEN we cry out His name.
God says that because we do that, He will answer you and be with you in times of trouble. He will give you long life, and continue to show you His salvation – which is far more than a one-time deal.
Now, take a look at this past week as the events of 9/11 were relived all across America.
Families are still grieving for they know no comfort or joy over those events.
Friends are still missing loved ones and cannot “get over it” with a wave of a magic wand.
Desperate people STILL give themselves over to reprobate mind to try to overcome because it feels good – so they do it.
And where, where is our battle cry to defend them? To protect? To answer? To educate?
Terrorists continue to plan attacks on the United States, our allies, and our soldiers fighting for peace even as we speak, and many in this nation sit comfortable and have nothing to do with it.
Globally, this world is falling apart at the seams – and somewhere in the midst of it all, God still cares about YOU and how YOU feel!
Do you see the hope in that statement? Let me repeat it. Globally, this world is falling apart at the seams (this is the hopelessness that many feel) – and somewhere in the midst of it all, God still cares about YOU and how YOU feel! (This is the joy and promise of tomorrow)!
Why is it then day after day many simply hope someone else will take action and prevent bad things from happening?
Many in our world today would just as soon not be bothered – but you have to understand and be committed to the knowledge that the battle is TODAY, not TOMORROW. The battle is here in our church, in our city, in our state, and in our nation.
I have met several folks who have been willing to walk with me and stand up and fight for what is right – but I have also seen scores of people want to give me their armor and tell me how to fight – just like David’s brother’s did to him before he went to fight Goliath. His brothers gave him their armor and told him how to use them – rather than putting the armor on themselves and fighting alongside their brother.
Today, your brothers and sisters need your help to fight. Remember last week we said that Revelation 13 ought to be a battle cry – it ought to give you backstage passes into the enemy’s camp – and encourage and stir you up to fight against him.
We know what he wants to do – destroy us. His mission to destroy us is just as real as Osama Bin Laden’s desire to destroy us is today. We see it everyday on television – we are reminded of it each moment by this world of how wrong we are to fight – yet we continue to fight.
It is the prayer of my heart that we, as a church, would seek to fight in the same manner that our men and women overseas are fighting. They are fighting for what is right, and we should fight as well!!
9/11 does not need to be a sad time of reflection, but a renewed energy to get up, put on your armor, and fight for God’s desire and for His will to be done here on Earth!
God still cares! 1 Peter 5:8-10
Conclusion
Honestly, I did not want to go long this morning – because I believe this is a straight forward call to arms that every Christian ought to feel immediately. (Invite singers)
This morning, we have an opportunity to make a difference – we have a chance to set right what the devil took away from us and give God the glory. But, will you?
Our reading this morning shows us what God will do for you – but what will it take for you to do something for Him? I asked you on Sunday night “Do you care?” God is waiting …
Pray
