Never Forget

There are times in history referred to as turning points, times when events occur that are so significant that they affect not only those who experience them but also the generations after them. They not only interrupt the status quo, but they create a "new normal."

The Exodus story is one of those events. God intervened with power in the history of man, rescuing His people from Egyptian slavery. And He instructed them and the generation to follow that they should remember that event so that they could walk through whatever their present circumstances with the confidence that their God was for them and none could stand against them.

September 11, 2001 was another turning point. In a moment of roaring jet engines and blazing fire our lives were forever changed. The images of people jumping out of crumbling towers and firemen rushing through death's gates will be forever etched into our own life stories, even if we don't know the name of a single victim of that fateful day.

It's right that we should remember the thousands who gave their lives that Tuesday morning. But there's more than that which should be remembered. You see, we had enemies that day that sought to cripple and destroy us. They struck at our leadership and at our financial power. And, they were successful. Why? Because we had become a nation that had placed its confidence in our might and our wealth rather than in the One who had provided both. Our enemy knew our weaknesses and struck at our idols.

But, in the moment of the attack, something happened in this country. Even as happened in the history of Israel (read Judges), in our darkest hour, when our idols were revealed for what they truly are, so much wood and stone, we sought the Kingdom of Heaven. Firemen risked everything to save desperate people. Passengers of UTD 93 risked everything to keep Plane #4 from being a terror missile destined for the Capitol. And I'm told that even the streets of New York were a compassionate place as we all became brothers and sisters in an epic struggle.

So, on this 10th anniversary of that history-altering day, yes, remember those whose lives were demanded of them. But remember how we turned from our idols and sought the Lord in our desperation. And remember the love we had toward one another. Don't let their lives be spent in vain. Cast off your idols and worship the Lord. Your idols will fail you. But He will never leave you nor forsake you. For He alone is good and His love endures forever.