We Will Never Forget: Remembering 9/11
There are certain days in a nation's history that will never be forgotten by its citizens. When we think about our nation's history, certain days like this come to mind. Some of these days are the assassination of President Lincoln, the day America won her independence, the meeting between Robert Lee and Ulysses Grant at Appomattox Court house which put an end to the Civil War, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the day President Reagan spoke the words, "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!" These are days that any student of American history can never forget. I believe another day that will never be forgotten would be December 7, 1941 - the day Pearl Harbor was attacked and destroyed. Shortly after that tragic event, President FDR spoke these words to Congress, "Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." He called that day "a day that will live in infamy.
Whether when I was in high school or at other times when Pearl Harbor was mentioned, I clearly remember thinking, "How tragic and difficult of a day that must have been." I never would of imagined that an event similar to Pearl Harbor would happen in my lifetime. I remember waking up on the morning on September 11, 2001. I remember beginning my morning routine until my parents told me to quickly come to the television set and see what was going on. I remember looking at the television and thinking that what was on the screen was from a movie or something. Shortly after thinking that, my mind finally came to reality and realized that what I was watching was really happening. I was not able to see the first plane hit the first tower, but I remember watching in horror as the second plane hit the second tower. I almost began to cry. My mind and emotions were jumping everywhere. "Is this the start of World War 3," "How could anyone be this inhumane to do something like this," "What is going on?" - these were some of the thoughts racing through my mind. I also remember watching both towers collapse one by one. My mind and eyes were glued to the television set. I did not want to go to school that morning because I was so in shock. That day in school, all my mind could think about was what happened just a couple hours before. To quote President FDR, September 11, 2001, is a "date that will live in infamy."
Shortly after this terrible event, I saw on the television sets people praying and having no problem mentioning God or saying that we, as Americans, need God's help. I thought that 9/11 might have been God's way of waking America up and revival breaking out across the country. I thought that many would get saved and get on fire for God. I thought that a possible Third Great Awakening could begin in America. People across the nation were saying, "God Bless America." A song came out called "God Bless the USA" Revival was happening...so I thought.
It was not too long after that America went back to what she used to be. It is even more discouraging to realize that America has gone back to what she used to do and progress even farther down the path of wickedness and immorality. Her leaders want no mention of God. Her people curse God's name or mock His servants. Immorality and homosexuality are rampant and becoming more accepted each and every day. What is the solution to this mess?
God outline the solution to a nation's moral decline in 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. The solution to American's mess does not begin at Capital Hill, it does not begin in the political structure of America. It begins with God's people getting back to living like the person that their name publicizes. It is time for Christians to begin acting like Christians. If Christians just get back to living like they should and doing what God tells them to do in this verse, God promises to bless their nation. This month, as we remember the tenth anniversary of 9/11, may we ask God to help us be the Christian teenagers He wants for us to be. May we also do everything we can to implement what He asks of us from 2 Chronicles 7:14 into our lives. If we do that, we can truly say "God Bless America!"
