Saturday, September 10, 2011
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good, and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
9/11 REMEMBERED
During the aftermath of the [9/11 terrorist attacks ten years ago], there [were] numerous questions asked … The most significant one [was]: Why would God permit such an evil, horrendous act that took the lives of thousands of innocent people to be committed against our nation?
While the LORD our God has not provided us with a direct answer as to why He allowed [this particular] catastrophic event to strike our nation, still He hasn't left us completely in the dark ... In God's many dealings with sinful man down through the centuries of time, His primary ... concern [is always] that He "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).
The LORD displayed this loving concern for Israel when during the period of the Judges He repeatedly allowed their neighboring enemies to attack them. The reason for permitting enemies to wreak havoc in Israel's native land time after time is that the people of Israel were so often guilty of forsaking the LORD by running after false gods and giving themselves over to worldliness of living. God used the attacks to serve as a spiritual wake-up call for them to repent and turn back to Him in faith and love.
[But] it is not only the unbelievers who are in need of repentance, but also we Christians … We all are in need of humbling ourselves in the sight of God in contrition and repentance, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
… as Christians we are called upon by the LORD to help our fellow citizens by following: The example of John the Baptist who proclaimed a message of repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ. This message may not always be ... popular. But this is the kind of help that everyone needs in our country if America is to be truly blessed by God in the highest form. With this in mind -- May God bless America!
-- from the "Lutheran Spokesman"
