Different, But the Same

On this 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the United States my mind is thinking about several things.  First, I remember.  I remember where I was when I heard the news.  I remember the images I saw on TV and the sounds of the newscasters' voices.  I remember the eerie silence of the skies for several days after the attacks as all aircraft were grounded.  I remember the fear and the grief on the faces of the people who lost loved ones that day.  I remember being glued to the television, watching the news coverage for days on end.

Today our country is different than it was ten years ago.  Our sense of security and invincibility was taken away from us that day.  As a country we truly realized that not everyone loves America the way we do.  Security in airports was forever changed--tightened up immensely.  The regulations for what we pack and bring on airplanes was changed, too.  The New York City skyline was changed.  A big hole scarred the ground, and only empty space remained where two, grand towers once stood.  The Pentagon has been repaired, but the people who were there that day were changed forever.  The empty field in Pennsylvania where Flight 93 found its final resting place has since erased the charred, smoking marks left in the earth.  But the heroes on Flight 93 preserved the lives of many others by willingly giving up their own.

But there is something, or should I say, Someone Who remains the same today as He was ten years ago.  In fact, He's the same as He was 10,000 years ago.  It's my God.  And what a comfort that is to me in this changing world we live in.  He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He knew and He saw what happened on September 11, 2001.  And I believe that He cried right along with those who cried and continue to cry today.  I was reminded by my pastor today, that even in the midst of the most horrible
circumstances, we can know ". . . that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) 

I also believe that God will mete out justice.  He will be Judge for those who perpetrated those heinous deeds that day.  But let not that be our focus.  Our focus, our responsibility today as believers is this:  "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Here is the other verse that I think of today, and it is my prayer for myself, my church, and my country:

"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.."  (II Chronicles 7:14)