This Day in History…

(Submitted by Lara Cook)

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Matthew 16:8

I have been thinking about September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked America and such death and destruction were heaped on our country like burning coals.  What exactly do I feel when I think about that day? 

I remember being so scared and worried about how our lives would change. I wasn’t really thinking about the inconvenience of having more security and lots of rules and regulations at airports.  I wasn’t thinking about more safety, I was thinking about less safety.  I was really afraid that this would be the beginning of constant attacks on our freedom.  I was the mother of a 1 year old, 3 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old at that time and I was terrified for my children.  I was terrified for their freedom in the future but I was more afraid that they might be hurt physically, that I would have to see them hurt or suffer.  I didn’t want to go to the Thanksgiving parade that year.  I was afraid we would be sitting ducks.  It would be a perfect opportunity – Houston, Tx, thousands of people downtown for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  It was a terrorists dream.  I kept thinking of how many thousands of people were there.  As well as the Ballpark in Arlington when we went to a Rangers game the following summer, and Celebrate Freedom, especially Celebrate Freedom.  Freedom was what they wanted to take away. 

I thought of the people who lost loved ones that day.  I thought of the people trapped, the people who jumped to their death.  I concentrated on how they must have felt knowing that death was inevitable.  What would I do in that situation?  What would I feel in that situation?  I actually terrorized myself just thinking of all that could result from these events.  And that was the goal of the terrorists.  They succeeded somewhat.  I am sure I was not the only American feeling this way. 

But they did not completely succeed.  They did not get what they came for – our freedom or our faith.  They could not take what we refused to give up.  I am so thankful for the first responders, the police, the medical personnel, and the military that protect us and our freedom every day.  They are the ones that keep our freedom intact.  They have made a commitment to protect us at all cost.  I have faith in them.  I trust them. 

The Ultimate First Responder
Satan is the great terrorist, filling our hearts and minds with all kinds of thoughts and fears.  He wants our freedom and he wants to destroy the church and take out all the Christians with it.  But Jesus Christ is the ultimate first responder.  He protects us and will destroy the enemy in the end.  The church shall stand and the gates of hell will not prevail against it just as the scripture above says. 

See, in the end, no matter what destruction precedes it, the Lord and His church will prevail.  The enemy may shoot fiery darts and storm the fortress but the Lord will win in the end.  I will have faith in Him and I will trust Him.  I will also join His army and stand against the enemy and his troops until my life or the battle is over, whichever comes first.  Just like the terrorists on September 11, 2001, he will not get what he wants either.  He cannot have our faith because we won’t give it up and he will not gain power over us because we will not give in to the fears he hounds us with.  We are protected under the banner of the Lord and here we will stand with our shields of faith. 

On this day we do remember the ones who bravely gave their lives to save lives.  We remember the innocent lives lost and we will never forget what they endured.  They will forever remain in our hearts and minds.  We will remember the bravery of those who came to their aid and we will remember a God that healed our nation.  

Scripture to Claim:
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3