Faith in Times of Troubles

Twenty-three years ago our country suffered an attack on our land. Nine eleven has been forever engrafted in our minds for we remember where we were the day we heard or saw this attack on New York city’s iconic Twin Towers (the World Trade Center), the pentagram fortress known as the Pentagon, and Flight 93’s failed mission to destroy the Capitol. We do well to remember this day.  Our vulnerability was discovered. Our cries of, “Oh my God” were in unison as we covered our mouths.  Our horror and disbelief consumed us! Our hopes that many would be saved were unrealized! Our tears for the victims and their families caused us to hug ours even closer. God allowed an attack on these lands and the foundation of many’s faith was shook and we were humbled.

As we mourn the death of the building’s occupants, the first responders, those who stood nearby, twenty-three years later- is the wound still fresh?  Has there been healing in the land? There is a patchwork of healing across America amidst the tumult. That healing has everything to do with the remnant who have peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and they pray for the lost, the brokenhearted, the afflicted, the saved, and the unsaved. Why does the body of Christ pray? Because we have faith and hope that this pain has purpose. The Apostle Paul says that he glories in tribulations. Can we?  When we do, that is when our tribulations produce perseverance, perseverance will produce character, and character will produce hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5).  Thank You Jesus!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Your Word says,“ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.  The simple call to humility is often cast off and rejected as ‘too easy’ a solution for so great a problem. Yet the power in humility rests in simplicity, for our Heavenly Father resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Lord, I humble my heart before You and commit to do as the scripture has asked; to pray and seek You and turn from my wicked ways and I pray for healing to take place in this land. We pray also for the families of the victims of 9/11 that they will find peace and salvation in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen!
By Sis. Paula Smith