America Under Attack
A Christian Response to an American Crisis
by Terri Main
There are events that happen that years later
you will remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. For me,
those events include the death of President Kennedy, the Lunar Landing, the
Challenger disaster and last Tuesday, September 11, 2001 when the World Trade
Center towers were leveled and the Pentagon Damaged by terrorists using fully
loaded jet airliners as flying bombs.
The numbers themselves are staggering. The 110-story
World Trade Towers brought down to a 5 story pile of rubble. Four or five
other buildings nearby destroyed. Over 200 firefighters and police killed
in rescue efforts. Nearly 200 persons killed at the Pentagon and close to
5000 lost in New York. 50,000 National Guard and Reservists called to active
duty. Troops mobilizing around the world.
It's a frightening time. The question is how
do we as Christians respond to this tragedy? Here are a few reflections in
the shadow of this event.
Pray. The next few weeks are going to be difficult
ones for everyone. As the days pass and bodies are recovered, hope will wane
and vanish for the families and friends of the victims. Pray that God will
be with them during this time of grief. Also pray for the world's leaders.
Difficult, dangerous decisions must be made in the coming months which are
going to require divine wisdom. |
| Manage Your Fear. Yes, these are scary times.
We do need to take reasonable precautions, but we also need to continue to
live our lives. Scripture says that He has not given us a "spirit of fear
but of love and power and a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1.7) Fear brings one into
bondage (Romans 8.15). Besides, God is our refuge and our strength. He will
either keep us safe or take us home. Either way, we are in His hands. Fear
steals your testimony. If people see you trembling in fear over the affairs
of this life, you cannot point them to your source of hope. But if you are
confident in the time of trouble then you have the opportunity to share why
you can feel that way.
Continue in Love. Right now we are experiencing
a lot of anger. The desire for revenge and retribution is strong. We also
feel frustration in not knowing exactly who is responsible for these horrific
attacks, how to apprehend them and how to bring them to justice. Consequently,
many people are expressing that anger and frustration by venting it on people
of Arabic descent. Just recently, at least two people have been killed simply
because of this heritage. I have a number of Arabic students in my classes.
It was nearly a week before they returned to class and they have been distant
in their interactions with other students. We must not allow a righteous
anger to turn into unfocused hatred. God loves your Arab neighbor just as
much as He loves you. And by extending that Love to them at this difficult
time, you may well be an instrument of God which can draw them to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Redeem the Time. We have seen much talk of God
and Prayer in the public arena in the past few days. Admittedly, much of
it is window dressing. A tragedy is often followed by a public call to prayer
or reference to God. But the magnitude of this particular tragedy has shaken
people's confidence to a point that there is an opportunity for witnessing
like never before. We as a people have in the past century placed our trust
in our economy and our military might. We have felt safe from upheavals often
found in other countries because we are a wealthy nation with a strong military.
The attack struck deep at both our centers of economic power and military
might. We have seen that even the greatest, wealthiest, and most powerful
country in the world is vulnerable to attack from a relatively small group
of conspirators. So, if we can't trust in the power of this world, what can
we trust? This is the question that many people are asking themselves now.
Of course, we have the answer. You can trust Jesus Christ. I was impressed
that in much of the talk about prayer and God among our media and political
leaders this past few days, I have heard nothing about Jesus. People are
thinking about God, but not about salvation. We have a golden opportunity
to lead them from that God consciousness to Christ Consciousness. Our message
is simple. This world is unpredictable. Life is often tenuous. But there
is hope. Jesus Christ came to this world, taught us how to live, then took
upon himself our sin, died and rose again so that we might be made Children
of God and given peace and comfort in times of trouble and the hope of an
eternity with Him.
Perhaps today, you are one of those who are
feeling anxious. You fear that which is coming on the earth. Perhaps you
have been trusting in all the wrong things. Perhaps, you are looking for
meaning in the midst of a senseless world. You have wanted to seek God in
this time of trouble, but don't know how. You want peace, confidence and
assurance that God really does have everything under control. You can have
that peace today. Admit that you are a sinner, that you fall short of what
you know God wants for your life. Turn away from that sin and ask Christ
to come into your life, take control and give you that hope of eternal life.
If you want you can pray this prayer right now.
"Dear Lord Jesus, I want to have your peace
in my heart. I ask you to forgive me of my sins, to come into my heart and
help me live a righteous life. I commit myself to you and promise to live
for you. Thank you for coming into my life today. Amen"
If you prayed that prayer, you are now part
of God's forever family. Your name has been written in His Book of Life,
you have a home in heaven and a place in His family here on Earth. You need
to connect with a good Bible Believing church.
Whatever your circumstance today, remember,
no matter what happens GOD IS FAITHFUL! He will be with us during this time,
and that comfort is one thing the terrorists cannot destroy.
Copyright 2001 Evangel Praise Center Assembly
of God Church Fresno CA.
http://www.evangelpraisecenter.org
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