We Must Never Forget Series

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2nd Chronicles 7:14)

We must never forget. How can any of us forget the early hours of that fateful Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, now so long ago? Many of us had poured our morning cup of coffee and turned on the television just to watch the morning news. And then we watched as our world was shaken. We stared in disbelief as the events of the morning unfolded. How could this even happen? How could this be so well orchestrated, yet no one even knew. How could this happen in our Country, with our sophisticated intelligence? It was as if we were watching a horror movie as we witnessed airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center Towers, watching the towers topple, a diverted tragedy in Pennsylvania, and a thwarted attempt to harm thousands of people in the Pentagon in our Nation’s Capital. Air travel was immediately dispelled and our skies were quiet for the first time in our history, as we awaited some word that would help us to make sense of it all. But that word wouldn’t come for a long, long time, even now nine years later.

We watched as our nation was under attack before our eyes. It was no longer a real Russian threat or finally the work of the communists under our beds, but the work of an unknown group of terrorists who called themselves al-Qaida. Nine years ago most Americans couldn’t place Iraq or Iran on a map, let alone understand their differences. I remember singing Alan Jackson’s song that spoke for many of us “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” His refrain; “I’m just a singer of simple songs - I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young. Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest of these is love.”

And I remember nine years ago as the day’s events unfolded, our nation’s leaders gathered on the steps of our Capital, joined hands and sang “God bless America” together. We must never forget.

Was it really nine years ago when we as a nation turned to God when everything else made no sense? Was it nine years ago when our churches saw visitors for the first time seeking answers only God could provide? Was it really nine years ago when we sifted through rubble and buried over 3,000 people, people from all walks of life. Was it really nine years ago when our world changed before our very eyes, and we became “One Nation Under God” once again.

The United States of America was founded upon Christian principles. Look closely at our early American leaders and see where they put their trust. Godly men and women who relied on their faith, through Jesus Christ to mold us into the nation we are today. We became a new nation because of religious persecution. We declared our independence from Great Britain because the King was the authority instead of God. Read the words of George Washington when he sent a letter to each state’s Governor;

"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government--to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their Brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love Mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, Humility, and temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a Happy Nation."

Read the words of John Hancock, or Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry or Alexander Hamilton. Read the words of Thomas Jefferson when he wrote in his personal Bible; "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our creator."

We must never forget. We are a nation founded upon Christian values. We are a nation that has opened its boarders to millions of people over the years so they may enjoy the freedoms our Country provides. We are a Nation made up of people from all walks of life.