September 26, 2001
In the wake of the recent WTC and Pentagon attacks, we see an incident so massive that most of us can barely get our minds around it. We can’t even begin to make sense of it. There is no sense in senseless acts. But when we first saw the televised account of the suicide mission of cult followers piloting the planes into the towers, we were struck by something. We were struck by the paralleled images of motion pictures we see at the theaters and on television daily.

We watched over and over as the planes crashed, killing thousands. We sat on the edge of our seats in numbness as the media subjected us to this repeatedly. It almost seemed merciless to be exposed to the images so very many times. If you have been like our family, we turned the television off to get away from the horror, only to return to it a short time later.

I doubt that many of us will be able to find that state of indifference that once lulled us during those violent movie scenes. We have been forced to face our lackadaisical attitude, and it has been repeated all over our United States that we will never be the same again. Our carefree lives have changed forever.

And, then there are those who were directly affected. The victims-the people who lost loved ones. The rescue workers who go on day after day. They will not find closure until the final piece of stony rubble is moved away, and there is no longer hope to find the victims who have left this life. The relief workers who catch glimpses, who can only describe it as the doorway to Hell.

And when all that is moved away from our mind’s eye like the rain on a windshield, we look at the bigger picture and many ask, “Where was God?” Three simple words that have echoed not only throughout our country, but all over the world. Certainly uttered by those who’s lives have been torn apart, accusingly, “Where was God!” Certainly by the terrorist sarcastically “Where was your God?”

First we must realize that this did not come at God’s hand. He is not a horrid, divine monster who reeks havoc for His pleasure. It came from the fallen-ness of mankind. The same free will that allows us to choose good over evil, is the same free will that allows us to choose evil over good.

We must realize that suffering is directly related to that fallen-ness. There was no suffering before sin. We interpret Scripture to say that suffering is part of the complex judgment of the world. So, one might say, it is a part of life.

That may sound cold, but it really isn’t. Behind the pre-mentioned question {Where was God?} always stands the holiness of God and His perfect righteousness. God allows suffering as part of His judgment. But He also uses it for our redemption to shape and build our character and faith just as our nation as a whole people, and individually, are being shaped now.

Satan's assaults can, and do, bring suffering.
Christ addresses this issue of judgment in I Pet.2:20-He is asked whether it was the blind man's sin or his parent's that he was born blind. Christ says, neither. But those asking the question were trying to reduce it to these two options so blame could be placed. But, often it is for reasons beyond our understanding.

Clearly, in this, we can see where God was and is. Those planes were not full to capacity that day. People who were scheduled to fly for some unknown reason didn’t make it. Even the towers were not full. I really believe He took steps to counteract this evil within His sovereignty and being who He is, He could not fail. The towers stood up long enough for many, many to flee. There were those, many more than those lost, that simply were not to be considered amongst the dead and He protected them. And, we have been hearing about all the miracles and all the heroism. One account was of deacon and Sunday school superintendent Stanley Praimnath of Elmont, Long Island surviving the 81st Floor of World Trade Tower Two - A testimony of God's hand of protection amidst tragedy. Yes, God could have stopped it completely, but He didn’t. This will be one of those things that are not for our understanding. We also have no idea of how many incidents like this that He has already stopped completely.

Rather than being offended by God’s sovereignty in both good and calamity, believers should be comforted by it. His infinite wisdom far surpasses our understanding. We know that until God is done with us in this life, we are immortal. Death will not come one moment later or sooner than our appointed time.

O’ Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in Heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of nations. Power and might are in your hands, and no one can withstand you....II Chronicles 20:6

WE ARE CHANGED FOREVER......

We have turned to the only Comfort that is awesome enough to embrace this tragedy and hold it tight to His heart. Individual lives will play out their roles in all this.. again...changed forever. We all hold our loved ones a little closer. Our government has even turned to Him. Prayer returned to our classrooms to pray for our nation and the victims without a ripple....Hum?

Like many, I too became so heart-broken, fearful, and hopeless that my faith was shaken for a time. But the only thing we can truly understand, and most important, is that God is in control and is bigger than even all this.......

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