America was attacked. As people went about their daily routines; as they took their seats on the planes, ready to head home, tragedy broke out.
September 11, 2001 was a day that brought people to their knees. Who could have imagined the terror headed our way?
Though I was only a baby when this terrible event took place, I have heard many of the real-life stories and experiences surrounding September 11.
When something this horrific occurs, the only question that seems to fit is “why?” We see the lives of thousands taken without warning and ask, “what good could possibly come out of this?”
We live in a broken world; in need of redemption.
Terrorist attacks. Hurricanes. School shootings. Families destroyed. Bullying. Loved ones passing away.
Yet, even through all of this chaos, hope lives on.
Declaring the end from the beginning,
Isaiah 46:10
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My [God’s] counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
He has brought on them their own iniquity,
Psalm 94:23 (NKJV)
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
The Lord our God shall cut them off.
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:13 (NKJV)
We can’t always make sense of what happens in this world. However, there are three crucial truths we must continue to remind ourselves of.
God is Sovereign
Isaiah 46:10 states that God has “declared the end from the beginning”. Before the foundation of the world was born, our King had a plan. Nothing can sway or distort His plan (Job 42:2). He is in perfect control.
Though we cannot understand all of God’s ways (Isaiah 55:9), Scripture tells us that He is just, merciful, and holy. Many of us would try and question saying, “if I was God, I never would have let this happen”, nevertheless, God is our Creator. In Him is all understanding and power.
The Lord, in His perfect sovereignty, can and will accomplish all that He promises in His Word.
The Wicked will be Destroyed
Bad things happen. When a child is hit and killed by a car, but the drunk driver survives, it’s hard to see why God would allow such a thing. We ask, over and over again, “why do the wicked prosper?”.
We find the answer in Psalm 92:7.
When the wicked spring up like grass,
Psalm 92:7 (NKJV)
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.
At times, it appears that the wicked reap goodness while the righteous reap tragedy. Even David wondered this. However, we are promised that the wicked will, in fact, be destroyed.
While we see through a narrow lens, God sees through a wide-view lens; the big-picture. His plan overrules evil and conquers all.
The Righteous Have Hope
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)
Peter points out in the verse above that, though we may suffer for a little while, Jesus will strengthen His children. Romans 8:18 tells us that the sufferings we go through now cannot compare to the glory that will be revealed in us.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)
Those who Christ has called; those who have repented of their sin and have turned to follow the Lord have an eternal hope.*
God promises that He will wipe away every tear. All death and pain will be destroyed and we will dwell “in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23).
Today, as we remember the events of 9/11, let us not forget to remember the God who will, one day, destroy evil, once and for all.
*for more information on the gospel and what it means to be a follower of Christ, check out the following articles or contact Rescued with Purpose Ministries.