As I’ve watched the coverage of the 20th anniversary of September 11th, I’ve heard something over and over again on TV that I haven’t heard for a long time: People talking about God. In interview after interview with survivors, the interviewer has asked, “What did you do when the tower collapsed?” Or, “What did you do as you waited to be rescued?” Or, “What did you do as you ran for your life?” Almost every survivor has given the same answer: “I prayed. I prayed to God to save me. I prayed and I prayed.”
Why does God allow terrible events like September 11th? We struggle to understand. But maybe one of God’s reasons is as simple as this: To turn our eyes to him. To turn our hearts to him. To wake us up and lead us to see how much we need Jesus. In the Bible, God makes us this invitation: “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15). The sad but true reality of life is that we often need trouble to call on God. Terrorist attacks turn our eyes to Jesus. Hurricanes turn our eyes to Jesus. Sickness turns our eyes to Jesus. Troubles reminds us that there is no one like Jesus.
May God continue to answer the prayers that have been prayed to him for the past 20 years. Prayers for strength. Prayers for healing. Prayers for comfort. Prayers for protection. And may God continue to lead us to look to him and trust in his salvation. When planes fly into buildings, call on Jesus. When sickness rages, call on Jesus. When our nation seems to deteriorate, call on Jesus. When guilt weighs down your heart, call on Jesus. There is hope even on the darkest day: “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
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