Pastor's Ponderings, September 12, 2016

Remember 9/11 by Remembering God

The September 11, 2016, Reuters posted an article that indicated that North Korea was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile.  As a child of the fifties and sixties, we were terrified that the Russians were about to bomb us at any time.  Now the threats can come from sleeper cells in the US, terrorists, fanatics or even one’s friendly neighbor.  As if we did not have enough to consider, one presidential candidate suggested that he would start a war because of a rude hand gesture from a soldier of another nation.

In spite of these disturbing signs, God directs us to not let these things trouble us (John 14:1).  He really does not want us to be afraid and wants us to know that nothing happens in the world without His control (Matthew 10:29, 31). He knows the big things and the little things about every aspect of our lives including the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30).  The Bible says that although disease and disaster may worry us, we are not to fear them (Psalm 91:5, 6 MSG). Our God is present with us to help in troubling times such as these (Psalm 46:1).

On the fifteenth anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York, many of us have bitter memories and even fear another violent attack may occur.  Let us remember God’s word of comfort, assure others that God is still God, and know that we can confidently look to Him for our protection.

John 14:1
New International Version (NIV)

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

Matthew 10:29
New International Version (NIV)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Psalm 91:5, 6
Message (MSG)

5 Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 
6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster than erupts at high noon

Psalm 46:1
New International Version (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.