•Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering is a gift. It
is that tiny shining thread that weaves together the memories of past everyday
breaths and links them intrinsically with Providence. The tapestry of the mind
is adorned with the brilliant colors of faithfulness, security, love, strength,
and ultimate sovereignty of the One who orders all things rightly.
Sometimes, it’s those
very memories that give the strength to carry on… when wrapped up in the warmth
of what God has done.
But what do I do with the
dark and faded places of that very cloth that is made up of the past? Those
sharp splinter memories that make my heart bleed? The past tears that blot out
the beauty? Those ugly rips and tears that don’t make any sense?
My country had to face
that question this year. Ten years later and the memories are still fresh from
evil that spilled blood on this land. The haunting faint smell of smoke still
lingers on the beams erected to remind us not to forget.
The scenes are forever
etched in our minds. For many of us, old enough to understand even the basic
ramifications of such a tragedy, find it hard to forget. Hard to understand.
Hard to forgive.
Yet, remembering is a
gift. Still, even in the darkest of times.
For even with the pain
and agony of the human heart comes a realization that something isn’t the way
it should be. When I look back on the events of September 11, 2001, the
memories give more perspective to the life that I now live, the freedoms that I
enjoy, and the sacrifices that have been made. It also makes me yearn for the
day when all things that have been wronged will be set right – on that great
and glorious day when Jesus returns.
It is my prayer that
these kinds of remembrances will point all of us to Christ.
And finally, we pray that you wage war against the terror in our own hearts—our rebellion against you, our pride, our worry, our disobedience, our hatred, our cowardice, our intolerance and our overtolerance. May we see every disaster—be it hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, or terrorism—as an opportunity and a summons to repent. Help every American to realize—as well as every Chinese, Korean, and Arab Muslim—that far worse will befall us on that day when the rocks and mountains crumble and people all over the world flee from the wrath of the Lamb. May every moment of adversity and prosperity point us to Christ. Keep our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfector of our faith. Let us run to Christ. Let us cling to Christ. Let us find forgiveness in Christ. Let us find assurance in Christ. For the only true promise of peace, in this life and in the next, is found in Christ. We gladly confess that he is our only comfort in life and in death.Some trust in chariots; some trust in horses; some trust in the Koran; some trust in their wealth; some trust in their ancestors; some trust in their degrees; some trust in tanks and talks and predator drones. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God. It’s in his name of the Lord Jesus that we live and move and have our being, and it’s in his name we pray...
- Kevin DeYoung
“Trust in Him at all
times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
For my country, today, O
Lord…
|
