September 09, 2016
But it is not merely a day to remember, but a day to evaluate and respond. What did this day mean? What was happening and how should we have responded? And, how will we respond now?
The prophet Isaiah was called by God to deliver a message to Israel as she rebelled against God. The truths of that message describe to us some of the ways of God when those He has created reject Him. And, it is a warning to us.
“What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground. (Isaiah 5:3-5)
THE EXPLANATION
God is great in mercy, but also perfect in judgment. Judgment is God's tool to bring us to our senses. It is designed to be redemptive. To help us, like pain in the human body which alerts us to disease and should lead to a response that would be good for us.
In my opinion, that is the explanation for 9/11. God’s judgment. We had been saying to God for many years, ""We don't want You and Your leadership over our lives and nation."" The result is that we have turned away from Him, and the results are staggering. Millions of babies killed, the redefining of marriage, the exalting of sexual perversion, the glorification of materialism and greed as the sign of success .... and on and on. We are far from God.
God can use nations, national leaders, and nature in His judgment. But the worst type of judgment is when He does nothing. When He removes His hand and lets us eat of the fruit of our own way; lets us feel what life is like without Him.
Could it be that 9/11 was nothing less than the removal of God's protecting hand and letting us see real evil? We cannot possibly blame God if He removes His hand, because that is what we are wanting each day that we refuse Him, His Word, and His leadership.
The hope of judgment is that we will see what it is like to lose God's favor and repent. That we will turn back to Him in humility and surrender.
THE RESPONSE
... to 9/11 was a flurry of supposed repentance. The churches were full for a few Sundays, but then returned to levels that were less than prior to the event. And the decline of the American church since that time has indicated there is no significant sign of repentance and return yet.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO
... on Sunday? We should remember what has happened, rightly interpret what it means, and turn in humble, full, deep repentance to Him. We should cry out for God's mercy to send revival and awakening to the land.
God is always gracious to respond to the humble, honest cry of His children. He is waiting and longs for us to live under His leadership. But we must come to our senses and come home.
February 18, 2025
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
February 17, 2025
The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”
February 12, 2025
Repentance helps us. Repentance heals us. Repentance restores us and refreshes us. And these are all the outcomes a loving Father desires for His children.
