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In 2001, America came under enemy attack and those who placed their faith in the land of the free and the home of the brave were shaken. As I look back to that day, I praise God for sheltering me from the terror that seemed to strike many.
That tragic morning, my radio and TV were silent. I was busy getting ready to attend Bible study followed by work. The telephone rang, and someone I knew to be prone to hyperbole shouted at me to turn on my TV: America was under attack! I rolled my eyes. Unbelieving, I brushed her off – thinking that whatever had happened, it couldn’t be as catastrophic as she made it sound.
Arriving at Bible study, I realized how wrong I was. As the few details known were discussed, I was in awe of our God and reminded that He is sovereign…that nothing takes Him by surprise.
The key scripture of our study that morning was Psalm 27:1, The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Indeed, of whom shall we be afraid? The terrorist bringing murder to our soil?
As the day wore on, I was secluded in my church office with no visual images of the attacks – only the reports heard on Moody radio. The facts of the tragedy were broadcast, but intermingled with those word pictures of chaos and loss I heard hope. I heard reassurances that God was still on His throne.
When I finally saw what the world had been looking at all day long, a sense of unreality gripped me. Could this have really happened on American soil?
Fear takes hold when security is threatened. For those who placed their sense of security in America, September 11, 2001 brought astonishment and despair. There is comfort for those who choose to place their faith in God. I returned to Psalm 27 many times in the days following 9/11, and with David I’ve been able to say: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13, 14)
Where have you placed your faith?
Karen,
What beautiful thoughts on this special day of remembrance—thanks for sharing, and for encouraging and reminding me of these things. This day in that year for me was a challenging one as well; it challenged my faith. Prone to fear the things I can’t control, I was shaken by wondering what would happen next, and how would we go forward. But with faith in the God we know and hear and see, we will not be shaken–and neither will His love. ” ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you” (Isa 54:10).