Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Day 255 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Proverbs 19,20 2 Cor. 3)
WE MUST NEVER FORGET
“Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked... For you, O Lord, are my hope.” (Psalm 71:4-5 ESV)
Today is the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001. Most of us, I am sure, remember exactly what we were doing when we first heard the news that our country was under attack. It was a day that filled us with fear, foreboding, sadness and anger.
That evening, like many other congregations around our country and the world, we gathered in church for a special service of the Word and prayer. On the way to church, I passed a gas station with a long line of cars. While our first reaction to the tragedies of 9/11 was to turn to God, others could only think of running out of gas. I heard something even worse on the radio this week. The host said that all he could do was get drunk!
What a striking contrast between God’s people and those who do not know Him, or at best don’t possess Christian coping skills. Our Bible verse for today is a prayer for help in time of fear, tragedy and uncertainty. “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked.” We especially pray this prayer for those we have deserted in Afghanistan.
In the past 23 years our world has not gotten safer, even more so in the last month! We continue to have to deal with terrorism, hatred, war, and all other forms of evil. But Christ is still our Redeemer and our hope. We can still trust in His steadfast love to deliver us.
If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that nought can move.
(Lutheran Service Book 750-1)
So, on this September 11th, let’s start the day right:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. (Luther’s Morning Prayer)
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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