Resend with scripture and edit: A WORD FOR TODAY, September 12, 2022
Peggy Hoppes
Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, September 12, 2022
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn. The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted. Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, see Yahweh’s works, what desolations he has made in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.’ Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46, WEB
<p>Twenty-one years ago, on September 11, 2001, I wrote about something incredibly mundane: road construction. I talked about how there was major road construction on the roads leading to our house in Arkansas, making it difficult to get home. I could write on exactly the same subject today, just the names of the roads would be different. I noted how they do much of their work at night using incredibly bright lights so they can see, lights that overcome the darkness. The devotion then spoke about how the Gospel is our light in the darkness, giving us the courage to walk in faith in a world that is losing site of God.
<p>I wrote words then that are still relevant today, “In today’s world, many Christians are concerned about the evil that is seemingly overtaking our society. Books, movies, and music show the things that are bad to be good and vice versa. Children appear to be maturing much too quickly but are making decisions about drugs and sex long before they are old enough to really understand the consequences. Political correctness and tolerance are opening the doors to acceptance all sorts of worship, turning people from the truth that is Christ. Many Christians are afraid to be in this world today, so they reject it and live in a bubble surrounded only by Christian things. Unfortunately, this means that we are not being a blessing to those who truly need to see the light of Christ. We get lost and risk falling prey to false piety and false teachers who teach a false gospel.” The devotion was a call to trust in Jesus, our Light, and to continue to work for His glory.
<p>Then several planes struck, killing and injuring thousands and upsetting our mundane existence in this world and our indifferent attitude.
<p>On the day following 9/11, I wrote, “This is probably the hardest writing I’ve ever had to do. As I sit here today, still in shock with the rest of America and much of the world, I simply do not know what to say. There are a million things that need to be said, but there is no pretty way to put them on paper. It is senseless to rehash the events that have left us dazed, confused, afraid, angry, grieving and in pain. As much as we long to respond to the horrifying things we saw happen in New York and Washington, D.C. yesterday, it is useless to lay blame at this juncture. In the aftermath, I heard much talk about vengeance, salvation, and the coming of our Lord. Many are ready to jump into action - calling for death to the perpetrators, forcing faith on the lost, and giving up on this life and the world our God created.”
<p>The conversations are much different on this September 12th than they were twenty-one years ago. We know who to blame. We know the affects that the attack had not only on those who died and were injured, but on their families. Twenty-one years ago we promised not to forget, yet I imagine that there were many who let yesterday pass without even a thought. In some ways, I suppose it is good that we have gotten past the original emotions of that day. It is not good to spend time dazed, confused, afraid, angry, grieving and in pain. It is not good to continue to lay blame and talk about vengeance. It is not good to live as victims demanding retribution for sins committed against us.
<p>It is good to move on, but we call for remembrance of 9/11 not because of what happened that day, but because of what happened the next. We became unified. We joined together in prayer. We took care of one another. Roads were still under construction, but for a brief time we were more patient with one another. We set aside our disagreements and loved one another. The attitudes of September 12, 2001 have long disappeared and we are perhaps more indifferent than we were then. We are certainly not unified; as a matter of fact, we are more divided than ever. I saw many posts and heard many people reference that we will not forget 9/11, but too many of those same people refuse to respect anyone who differs. People publicly condemn opponents. Hate and violence is rampant. We still help our neighbors when there is a need, but we are more particular about who deserves our compassion. Sadly, I think we are still dazed, confused, afraid, angry, grieving, and in pain, not from an attack from outside like we experienced in 2001, but from perceived enemies who are our neighbors.
<p>We are God’s and we will one day stand face to face with our Savior, basking in His glory and worshipping Him for eternity. But for today, we must continue to do the work we have been called to do. We cannot allow any enemy whether from without or within to cause us to live in darkness, mistrusting our neighbors and condemning them. We cried out to God twenty-one years ago, seeking His grace in our pain. We forget in those mundane moments when our biggest worries are whether the road will be open when we want to drive that God is still our God, that He has called us to live in grace and compassion, to forgive when we have been hurt, and to live according to God’s word. We are to daily remember who we are and whose we are, always ready to meet our Master by serving Him in spirit, truth, and flesh. Our work for His Kingdom of grace, peace, and reconciliation is our daily sacrifice and our true worship.
<p>Whatever our circumstances, in joy or grief, mundane or extraordinary, God is the One True and Living God whose hand moves mountains and whose love melts hearts. Praise Him, seek Him, pray in Jesus’ name for your every need and walk in faith that He will provide. Turn to the Lord, your God and He will be with you. </p>
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