For our Sunday service, September 11, I was asked to share some thoughts on the events of ten years ago and then lead our congregation in prayer. Here's the gist of what I said:
As Christians we are forced to grapple with events such as these from a Biblical/theological angle. We have only two choices - 1) That God had nothing to do with the events of September 11, 2001; or 2) That He had something do do with them.
I hope that none of us take the first option. Why? Well, the Bible does not portray a God uninvolved in the events of the world. Actually, it is quite the contrary. That God has nothing to do with the events of the world is essentially the view of atheists - which no Christian could adopt.
Practically speaking, the view that God has nothing to do with the events of this world leaves us without either hope or comfort. We are then the victims of mindless chance or unrestrained evil in this world. But - if you adopt the view of atheism, you have to make due with what it provides. No hope, no comfort.
I'm of the conviction that there are no secular events in the world. That is, there is nothing that happens apart from the direct or indirect working of God. I believe God is up to His elbows in the affairs of our individual, community, and national lives.
The Bible says God is responsible for congenital disease - Exodus 4:11; that He brings prosperity or disaster - Isaiah 45:7; that He is responsible for political stability or upheaval - Daniel 2:21; that He brings famine, drought, crop failure, plagues of disease, loss in warfare - Amos 4:6-11.
Significantly, all these references in Amos to disaster and its resulting suffering are followed by the statement, "'Yet you have not returned to Me,' declares the LORD." Not only had God caused these things, but these disasters had come as a call to repentance to a wandering people. Wow.
So were the events of September 11, 2001 a wake up call to America? I believe so. As a nation America has trusted in its economic might - and on that day the financial centers of the twin towers were destroyed. We have trusted also in our military strength - and on that day the Pentagon was partially destroyed. Only the White House (apparently the third target) was spared as its intended plane was brought down by the heroic acts of its passengers.
In sharper focus the message is this: This world and its structures will be no shelter in the Day of God's wrath. Let this 9/11 disaster shake you to the depths of your souls. Why? Because there is coming a conflagration of judgement that will dissolve the heavens and the earth.
To play on the words of Jesus: Were the 3000 that perished that day worse sinners than we are. I tell you, no. But we will all likewise perish if we do not repent.
