Thursday, September 11,
2025
REMEMBERING 9-11-01
2 Sam 22:1-4
22 And David spake unto the
Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of
the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: 2 And he said, The
Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3 The God of my
rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my
high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 4 I will
call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine
enemies.
I remember it like it was
yesterday.
September 11, 2001, was a Tuesday. I was attending a fellowship meeting of
pastors. We were gathered in the church kitchen and dining hall when many of
the preachers began receiving phone calls. Their faces were worried. Some left
without saying a word. Others told of an unbelievable horror. One poor fellow
was trying to preach as if nothing had happened, but the world had changed!
I finally received a call from my secretary who was
watching the unspeakable on television in our missionary apartment. I remember
exactly what she said. “Oh, preacher it is awful!” Awful did not begin to describe it. Hijackers
had boarded commercial planes and had flown them into the Twin Towers in New
York City – a symbol of our financial strength. Another hit the Pentagon – the
symbol of our military might. Yet another seemed to be headed toward the
capital – seat of our government. The heroism of a few on board prevented that.
It crashed in a field in Pennsylvania -- across the road from a church which
was pastored at that time by a friend of mine.
I sped home although I was only 23 miles
away. I could have been stopped by police at any time because at no time didI
heed the speed limit signs! My wife was a substitute teacher, and I wanted to
reunite with her and be safe. I found my secretary inconsolable and joined her
to watch the news.
Our Wednesday night Bible
Study was
crowded by worshippers who had long ago abandoned the Prayer Meeting. Now the
altar was flooded with those who were once complacent. Alas, we have returned
to that former state but – for a moment – we were reminded that “He only
is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved
(Psalm 62:2).”
Sweet Jesus, be diligent and
vigilant for us today. You only are our rock and our strong defense. AMEN
