The twenty-second anniversary (is that the right word?) of the 9-11 attacks is fast approaching. Media outlets will offer emotional reviews of that horrifying day. That day led to increased awareness of the bitter hatred many have toward our nation, whether justified or not. It also led to America’s involvement in war in the Middle East. The anniversary will also bring out the conspiracy theorists who claim that the attacks didn’t really happen. Have we learned anything over the past 22 years? A few non-political thoughts…
About that last thought…Among the things said concerning the attacks were statements like these: “God was not in control of all things on that fateful day….God is punishing America for _____________ (fill in the blank with any specific sin you feel needs to be highlighted)…God has withdrawn his love and presence from this sinful nation.”
The days after 9-11 gave us a sense of how Job felt. Having absorbed swift, stunning losses of his children, wealth, and health, Job found himself surrounded by a frightening cast of characters who called themselves “friends.” His wife told Job to curse God and die. Three of his “friends” sat with him for seven days without offering a single word of comfort. When they did speak, they said that Job must have done something really terrible to deserve all that had happened to him.
A fourth acquaintance, a man named Elihu, did offer truths more in line with God’s truth, truths we can apply today:
In the end, God doesn’t provide Job with many answers, but assures him of his power, promise, and presence. We take these truths to heart, even if it takes some time to read through the book of Job: God is God; God is just; God is in control; God makes everything work out for our good.
God is with you,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
- The biggest threat to our own economic well-being is not a terrorist act of war on our own soil, as Bin Laden hoped. The biggest threat is our own selfishness and materialistic aims (whether government, business, or personal), because of which our economy continues to struggle.
- God is still in control of all things. He continues to shower undeserved blessings upon us and upon our nation.
- Tragedies and crises like this lead only to a temporary spike in people’s interest and devotion to spiritual matters and questions. Full churches in the weeks after 9-11 have long since reverted to pre-9-11 attendance figures. The Covid pandemic and continued disinterest have pushed attendance figures even lower.
- Tragedies and crises like this often lead to bad theology.
About that last thought…Among the things said concerning the attacks were statements like these: “God was not in control of all things on that fateful day….God is punishing America for _____________ (fill in the blank with any specific sin you feel needs to be highlighted)…God has withdrawn his love and presence from this sinful nation.”
The days after 9-11 gave us a sense of how Job felt. Having absorbed swift, stunning losses of his children, wealth, and health, Job found himself surrounded by a frightening cast of characters who called themselves “friends.” His wife told Job to curse God and die. Three of his “friends” sat with him for seven days without offering a single word of comfort. When they did speak, they said that Job must have done something really terrible to deserve all that had happened to him.
A fourth acquaintance, a man named Elihu, did offer truths more in line with God’s truth, truths we can apply today:
- God is good, even when he sends affliction to the God-fearing
- God is just, because he is the Almighty Creator and Lord of all
- God does not exercise justice according to our thinking
- In afflicting the God-fearing, God only has our good in mind
In the end, God doesn’t provide Job with many answers, but assures him of his power, promise, and presence. We take these truths to heart, even if it takes some time to read through the book of Job: God is God; God is just; God is in control; God makes everything work out for our good.
God is with you,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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