My commute home yesterday was a little different than the day before. I left work early and the first thing I noticed was how blue the sky was. During my hour drive I continued to notice the sky. It was such a beautiful sky – just a few wispy clouds here and there that seemed to stand still – like I was peeking at a surreal painting. Yea, the whole trip seemed surreal.
Perhaps the reason the sky seemed untouched was because there was not a trace of a jet stream. The airport that tops the mountain above my office was quiet. The skies were absolutely empty. No take offs. No landings.
I’m not sure what the sky looked like at 8:30 yesterday mourning as workers waited in line at the elevator doors in downtown New York. Most likely no one paid much attention. Most likely people’s minds were on more important things – preparing for today’s work, wondering what they might do this weekend or perhaps worrying about bills and budgets. Most likely none the people preparing to catch the elevator car to the 10th, 50th, 80th or higher floors ever expected the sky to suddenly turn dark in the next moments. But it did.
September 11, 2001 (911) will go down in history as historically as the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At this moment, we don’t even know the effects this day is having on the history that is being made. Talks of world financial market failures, gas prices soaring and top 500 businesses going under due to the attack will force us to wait and see.
The suddenness of the destruction we witnessed yesterday was horrible. To helplessly watch thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people like you and I meet death under such a senseless act of terrorism is incomprehensible. It was difficult to realize that this was not a recent high-tech Hollywood special effects movie.
As I personally watch our nation in the grip of fear, fear began to weigh on my mind also. But as I searched the Word of God the fear changed from a fear of people to a Godly fear when I read these words of Jesus…
Luke 12:
4"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
We people in America have historically never lived a day of fear such as September 11, 2001. There are many places in this world that live in such fear on a daily basis. However, we of all people, living in a nation that was founded on the Holy Word of God, who are known throughout the world as a Christian nation should understand that Godly fear is so much more important than fear of those who would even take our lives.
In times like these, people are affected by fear. The important thing is that these fears affect us in a way that we turn to the One and Only One who can care for us.
Remember this – there is darkness in this world. However, when Satan seems to win a battle, rest assured that God wins the war. When Satan thought he had overcome the Son of God in the battle of death, God won the war in the battle for everlasting life when He raised Christ from the grave.
What Satan intends for bad, God can use for good. Perhaps God will use this event to draw those who are seeking comfort unto Himself. We should pray that way.
In a world that seems to be crumbling at times, there is still hope. Our hope is not in this world but in the place that Christ has gone before us to prepare. We have a heavenly mansion beyond that beautiful blue sky waiting for us.
If you are unsure about your eternal destiny, God’s word says "today is the day of salvation." If you have friends or loved ones who are dealing with real fears today, pray that God uses you in this time to reach out to them – offering the peace that passes understanding.
As I peered into the sky yesterday, one more thing came to my mind. Christ promised us that He would return the way He departed. As this world plays out the prophesies of Christ, we should be reminded that He is coming soon, very soon! One day, the sky will crack and He will return in physical form to raise those who are dead in Him and change us who are alive.
Allow me to turn to Revelation as I close…
Revelation 22:
20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Your Servant,
Randy Hunt
2TIM 1:7
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You raise some interesting thoughts. You're right, we who live in the states, for the matter most of the western world, we haven't seen days like this on a daily basis. We are no longer innocent, but we will prevail against this evil.
