October,
2001 "Day
of Terror"
September
11, 2001 - A day that changed the world. The attacks against America
and the freedom for which we stand will forever be remembered
- seared into our minds and hearts. I, like you, want to make
sense of the tragedy, to get back to normal in life. And yet,
I wonder - will there ever be a normal again, as we knew it? How
do we offer a place of peace to our children and grandchildren?
To our neighbors and co-workers? To our own heart?
My prayer
is that perhaps, through the words of the scripture and the love
of our Lord, I can share with you a starting place - a foundation
upon which to build the rest of your life - a place of peace in
these troubling times.
As I prayed
that day, I heard over and over from the Lord, "Fear not,
I am with you." I turned to the scriptures and read from
Isaiah 41:10. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not
be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help
you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I kept
on reading, as I always do in Isaiah. The Lord goes on to say
in verses 11-13, "All who rage against you will surely be
ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing
and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find
them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, do not fear; I will help you."
I was then
reminded of what Jesus said in John 16:33. "I have told you
these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
What a comforting
word! Yes, like the Psalmist says in Psalm 119:52, we can take
comfort in the laws and the word of God. But how can we apply
that in our lives? How can we assimilate these changes that have
thrust themsleves upon our nation and the world and even into
our very own daily lives? What is the Lord saying? What changes
does he want us to make? What should our perspective be? Our focus?
Our priorities?
I have spent
the last few weeks watching the news, praying, reading the Bible
and asking the Lord to help me share His heart with you. I believe
I have heard Him saying "Now, more than ever. Now, more than
ever." His meaning became more clearly understood as I spent
time meditating upon these words.
Now, more
than ever, it is critical to know Him. Search the scriptures,
read the word of God. It is His story. The story of His love and
His working among men. Know Him in your daily activities. Acknowledge
the little things that are God throughout your day. Know Him in
the fellowship of His sufferings as you share your life with others,
and receive their life into your heart.
Now, more
than ever, it is imperative to pray. Yes, we must humble ourselves,
repent and pray. As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "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." Now, more than ever, we must depend upon the Holy
Spirit to give us the prayers He desires us to pray for our nation,
our leaders, our families, our unsaved loved ones. (Romans 8:26-27;
1 Timothy 2:1-4) Be sure to include prayers for the peace of Jerusalem.
(Psalm 122:6)
Now, more
than ever, we must obey Him and do the word of God. Jesus said
in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
Now, more than ever, it is time to grow up and become mature in
our faith - which will result in godly works.
Now, more
than ever, we must share the love of God. The eternal destiny
of those around us is at stake. In 1 John 4, we are reminded that
no one has seen God, the Father, but as we receive the love of
Christ, He lives in us and we can share His love with others.
This is how the world knows Him - as we love one another.
Now, more
than ever, it is essential that we allow Him to change our hearts
so that we can live lives of holiness and humility. Philippians
2:1-11 is a beautiful passage of scripture encouraging us to be
united in Christ and comforted from His love. As you read it you
will see that our heart attitude should be the same as Christ
Jesus - holy and humble.
"If you
have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort
from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness
and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing
out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only
to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature
of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to
death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the
highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
So, to answer
our question - our focus and our priority is the Lord Jesus Christ
and the Kingdom of God. Do not be fearful of the things of this
world but instead keep your eyes on things that are eternal and
on the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.
Join me in
praising Him.
"Now,
more than ever, Lord, I exalt You. Now, more than ever, Lord,
I bow my knee to Your name, Jesus. I confess that You are Lord.
Now, more than ever, I yield my life to You. I declare that You
are in control of this world - that all of heaven and earth -
the entire universe is Yours, Lord. I love You. I trust in You.
I take comfort in You. And I give You all glory and honor and
praise. Amen."
May all grace
and peace be unto you from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
L.O.V.E.,
Patty
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