"The Lord trieth the righteous:" Psalm 11:5

 Those who seek after the holiness and righteousness of God to rule in their lives must not shy away from the afflictions and trials allowed/sent by the Lord.

"All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen out graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets  so high a value upon his people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith  which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted to well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant of grace. Worldly ease is a great for to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God." Copied from Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon, Sept. 3rd.

Where Were You?, Where Are We?, Where Will We Be???

(Before reading any further, I want to ask one favor. If you begin, be sure and read this little article in its entirety. Otherwise you may think I am saying things I that I am not.)

Ten years ago, September 11, 2001, America was attacked. Many Americans lost their lives that day, and since then many others have given their life striving to bring to justice those responsible for the attacks and to preserve the freedoms that we as a nation have enjoyed since our fathers gave their lives to gain freedom and liberty from a  tyrannical government. Freedom and liberty, not to do whatever they pleased, but the freedom and liberty to live their lives in accordance with the Word of God and the dictates of their conscience.

Since that dreadful day ten years ago, the question has often been asked when we meet and that day is brought up in conversation, “Where were you when the Twin Towers fell?” Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing. I remember. And I will never forget. It’s not that I think I should or shouldn’t forget; I can’t. Whether I want to or not is not the question. Many lives were changed that day, my life was changed. And many more lives were changed by the events of that day in the years to come.

But what I wonder ten years later is not “Where were you?” or “What were you doing?” but “Where are we now?” There is not a doubt in my being that the events of that day, September 11, 2001 were the hand of God’s judgement on America. How can one not see how that America’s idols were stricken that day? The Twin Towers: the icon of America’s financial security. The Pentagon: the icon of America’s military might. The Capitol: the icon of America’s government (although God in mercy did not allow this target to be struck at this time). Everything that we as Americans take pride in: our financial system, our military, and our government, were attacked that day.   

Today, God’s hand of judgement is still on America. Or economy is teetering on the brink of complete collapse. Our debts continue to climb at an astounding rate of speed. Our government has become a noose around the necks of the people, drawing tighter each week, imposing regulations and restrictions on every aspect of our life under the guise of “security”. Our military is not under the authority of the people, but is under the control of ungodly politicians, being sent to areas all over the world for who -knows - what reasons.

We may look at these things in fear and well ask “What happened?” What happened to the leaders who stood on the steps of the Capitol, who stood in Congress, who stood before the nation on the radio and television urging us to seek the face of God and praying for God’s blessing on our nation? What happened to the masses of people in the days following the 9/11 attacks who thronged into churches across this nation, presumably to seek the Lord?

This tenth anniversary will be one of many memorials, a time once again of pain and tears for many people. Once again the phrases “Where were you?” and “Never forget!” will be front and center of our speech and media. But more importantly I want to ask, Where are we? Where are you? Where am I? Ten years later, what has changed in our lives? Have we heeded the judgements of God and sought his face? Have we set aside any and all idols that may have been in our hearts and lives ten years ago? Or like so many, have we gone back, cold and indifferent to the will of God and his Word to do that which is pleasing in our own eyes, to seek our own fleshly pleasure?

Please understand that I am not trying to diminish in any way the significance of the events of September 11, 2001. I am not trying to be callous to the pain that so many feel on this day each year. I am not trying to imply that the sacrifice that those in our military have made since then has been meaningless.  I am not saying that it is wrong to remember where we were, or that we ought to forget. Each year on 9/11 I remember very keenly the pain, the shock, the anger I felt that day ten years ago, and this year will be no different. But what I am saying is that it is far more important where we are today than where we were then. And ten years from now, when we look back, what will have changed in our lives? Where will we be then? Will we be closer to the Lord, or will we go on living as if God did not exist?

Those who desire to be a different person tomorrow must begin to change today.

May God have mercy on America!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30