Today marks the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Today, we remember what happened and those who lost their lives. We pray for the families and friends of the victims, whose hearts are undoubtedly hurting today.
I want to shine a light on the memorials either planned or under development at the sites that commemorate that day. The memorials at New York City’s Ground Zero and the Pentagon have been opened, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Penn. is still under development.
Sobering and hopeful at once, they tell the stories of the men and women we lost that day – people going about their days and heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Our country is one that looks forward to the future. As a people, we chase after what’s new, improved and updated. That’s why I’m thankful that, for 12 years now, we still stop to look back and remember.
I leave you with the words of the prophet Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 19-26:
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
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If you want to read other posts I’ve written over the years about Sept. 11, I’m including the links below.
- Burning the Qur’an Does Not illuminate the Bible
- Ten Years Later
- What Do You Think of This Photo?
- What Do You Tell Your Children About 9-11?
You may also want to listen to our broadcast today, "As the Towers Were Falling." It's an amazing first-hand account of a man, Stanley Praimnath, who survived the attacks at the World Trade Center through the Lord's help, and the courageous actions of a stranger.
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