9/11 always causes me to think back to seven years ago and all the emotions that raced through my mind. I was at work when they announced over the loudspeaker that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York.
With so many of my memories from my youth being in New York and several relatives living in New York City my thoughts quickly turned to them and I sent up a prayer that they would be safe and that this was just a hoax like the "War of the Worlds" many years ago in the radio...but alas it was not!
Over the years as I have been watching birds I watched how the mothers care for their young I have come to appreciate their loving care for their young. 9/11 has never been the same for me and here is something that kind of puts things into perspective for me!
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day (Psalms 91:4, 5 NIV)
On this day we remember the unprovoked attack on America by Muslim terrorists. Despite attempts to make the country more secure, the threat remains scarcely abated today. So what should our response be? In Psalms 91 we see that we have no cause for fear. The physical danger may be real, but our Lord promises protection in tender words likened to a mother bird's care for her young. Our ultimate deliverance is guaranteed by His sure promises. Trust in His power and truth sustains us as surely as would a shield and buckler.
Our hope cannot ultimately rest in our own military might. God does not promise temporal safety to us, for there have been millions who have succumbed to undeserved violence. Our last hope is of a different order, firmly grounded in "the LORD, who is my refuge" (Ps 91:9 NIV). He responds to our trust and worship with the promise "With long (read here eternal) life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." (Ps 91:16 NIV). God is much more interested in our response to troubles than in our deliverance, He desires us to believe and serve Him, all the while trusting Him, even in perilous times.
A New Testament application of this principal can be found in 1 Peter; "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (1 Peter 3:14 NIV); “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
The Lord Jesus Christ is our example and inspiration. "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3 NIV). Fixing our eyes upon Him, we have no cause for fear, but it is good to remember.
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2 comments:
Very powerful reflections!
Say how is Mom today? I was thinking last night maybe you need to have her do more around the house, like cook lunch once in a while or clean house our do the laundry.
She may need to feel like it is worth getting cleaned up and dressed. Often when someone has nothing scheduled for them to do it is easy to just sit around and do nothing.
Just a thought!
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