Plagues have come and will come…Remembering 9/11/01
2nd Plague Frogs
3rd Plague Lice
4th Plague Flies
You know that I can remember clearly the events of my morning last September 11. I awoke to a radio announcement that a jet had crashed into the world trade center at 6:15 in the morning.
I knew that this was probably not a random act and as I hurriedly dressed and went into the living room to check the television a sickening feeling crept over me.
You know at some point the thought of the loss of life did come in but my initial thought was out of the thousands who had lost their lives, how many would never get another opportunity to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How many parents had slipped away to work without telling their children how much they loved them or how much they wanted them to have every blessing and success?
How many spouses had left the house after having an argument? How many had left after saying an unkind thing? How many had left without telling their spouse how much they truly meant to them in “sickness and in health”?
You see on September 11, 2001 the El-Queda Terrorists and all that provide support in any fashion visited a plague of destruction upon the citizens of the United States of America. These were non-combatants guilty only of being citizens of a country who’s motto is “In God we Trust”.
I have listened with interest to the media building up the Muslim’s and their beliefs over the past year. I do not agree with very much that the media has represented.
The few that have truly looked into the matter have found themselves under the scrutiny of our own government for fear of causing “hate-mongering” within our nation against the “Muslims”.
Recently a Southern Baptist Pastor and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention came under fire from the media for stating the truth contained in the “Koran” about the leader of that movement.
Were was the media and their blitz when the terrorists were planning their fatal attack against all of the innocent civilians in the World Trade Center or the brave men and women working in the Pentagon. Why wasn’t the media trying to convince the terrorists that it isn’t right to kill people who are striving to make a living in a world where we have been doing so for thousands of years.
You see within our current age, truth is normally largely a perspective by most people in this age. If you take the plagues visited upon Egypt in Chapter 8 of Exodus we can plainly see the difference between the deception of this world and “Satan” and the truth of God. God for one gave a warning and a chance for reconciliation prior to visiting the plagues upon the nation of Egypt. We will study from the past and touch on relevant present meaning for our lives.
2nd Plague Frogs
Exodus 8:1-15 (KJV)
And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. [2] And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: [3] And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: [4] And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
[5] And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. [6] And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. [7] And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
[8] Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord. [9] And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? [10] And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God. [11] And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only. [12] And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the Lord because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. [13] And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. [14] And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. [15] But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord…One major difference between the Lord our God and the religions of the world is the truth and openness by which God operates and calls us to operate.
You see God didn’t tell Moses to go into the temple and to shuffle money to the fighting elements of the church in order to cause the cash flow and vital emergency interests to become dysfunctional and over worked. No, God sent Moses and Aaron to tell Pharaoh what was needed to avoid the plague. If he failed to do so there would be a plague…
Prior to September 11, 2001 the terroristic elements of the Muslim world, planned, coordinated, and put into play in execution their secret plots that came to fruition on that faithful day with Muslims around the world rejoicing in the pain and tragedy “they” visited upon us “a nation under God and Christ”.
God has always been truthful and will always be truthful in all things. We are also called to do likewise, our example is Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:5 tells us:
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Again in John 14:6:
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
That we are called to a higher standard than the world should not be a shocking revelation to anyone who is growing and maturing in Christ and his characteristics…it is what we are called to.
Ephesians 4:15 tells us; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Are you growing up in the truth and love of Christ Jesus? In all things in our lives this is to what we are called…becoming more Christ-like in all our ways and actions.
You see, we Christians know that the hearts of “Islam” are hardened against us, just a Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened against “Israel”. We are called as always to hate the sinfulness of the individual are group, but to love the individual into the “Kingdom of God”. You see there has been many converted to Christianity from Islam. It is a perilous thing for in many nations someone making such a decision is killed or risks as a minimum imprisonment and beatings.
We as Moses are called out, to preach the truth…God’s Holy word and to let the world know…whether Islam, Bahai Faith, Mormon, or Jehovah Witness the complete truth of God and in so doing some will be saved.
I pray that this, second plague, might be remembered by the letters F.R.O.G. as Gloria told us Friday night…“Fully Rely On God”. I pray when you face your next difficulty this is where you find yourself, fully relying on God.
3rd Plague Lice
Exodus 8:15-19 (KJV)
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
[16] And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. [17] And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. [18] And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. [19] Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto…You know many people called following the tragedy of 9/11 seeking to know what God meant by the tragedy. Many came to churches across America for a day, or a week but as Pharaoh hardened their hearts and hearkened not unto the Lord God.
This is one of the greatest tragedies that I can see. You know that we have a choice in life. One of the greatest choices you and I will ever be called upon making is the simple choice of whether we will accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and in making that choice our eternity will rest.
One outcome is a life in the glorious presence of our God and Creator, in HIS light, in HIS mansion HE has gone to prepare for us, beside the crystal sea. It makes my heart merry to think of that time.
But as I strive and walk this sod, my heart is afflicted in knowing that all who do not ask Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives have an eternity in “Hell” to look in horror.
Does your heart hurt for the ones who are lost?
You see, I look at them and see me not that long ago. I know the great need I had for Jesus Christ in my life.
Thinking about the lice, I “itched” for the “Agape” love of Christ because I knew that no matter what I did or tried I could not fill the gaping hole in my heart that only “Jesus Christ” could fill. Oh, Glorious Day, that the Good News was presented and I asked Jesus into my heart, and I began the walk in newness of life learning through full submission in Christ to die daily to the natural feelings of this flesh and learning to live by faith in God’s word above any other.
You see every man and women has this “itch” to fill that space and only Christ Jesus can fill it and take away that itch.
How will they hear if we do not go to tell them the “good news”?
I pray this stirs something within you. The “Great Commission” calls each and every one of us to proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the Earth, whether that end be at the end of your block or to the farthest inhabitant of a distant continent. Give them the “Gospel” as a balm for their “itch”.
4th Plague Flies
Exodus 8:20-32 (KJV)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. [21] Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. [22] And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. [23] And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. [24] And the Lord did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.
[25] And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. [26] And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? [27] We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. [28] And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. [29] And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. [30] And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord. [31] And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. [32] And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. [21] Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee…You see God today is still trying to get the attention of the world for HE seeks that no one should perish but that all would come to eternal life. Just as HE sent Moses to Pharaoh…HE sends you and I out to proclaim HIS word around us.
Isn’t it amazing that throughout these plagues the Egyptians suffered and the Israelites were not affected. You know was it not amazing the Christians among us that had peace during the time of the tragedy knowing that God’s perfect will would be brought about in around and in spite of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. We are to bring God’s people out of the sinfulness that they are enslaved in.
Were there people enslaved to sin in New York and Washington, DC? Are there people enslaved to sin in your community and neighborhoods? Are there people in need around you? Will God be required to send a plague of some sort to get their attentions onto the things that HE calls them too?
I wish it were not so, and I’m sure that God wished there were some way for men to come to HIM apart from failing in their own strength to be able to make rhyme or reason out of the situations in their lives.
Yet, if it were so there would have been no need for the plagues that have appeared throughout history, in Egypt, England, New York and Washington.
In and through all of these events, the gospel has been preached and some have believed. The individual process of salvation continues, one man accepting Jesus Christ and going and giving the “Good News” to others with some man or women accepting Jesus Christ and the process beginning anew. It is God’s multiplication table and God’s perfect way, as individual as the “Agape” love that God holds for every man…hoping, wishing, desiring that all should come to salvation through the grace that HE freely waits to offer all who will call upon the name of “Jesus Christ”.
I pray that you today will make an effort to give the “Gospel” to someone in need instead of waiting until “tomorrow”. You see tomorrow will not come for many, today is the last chance they will have to make a choice of eternal life with God and Christ or to live in the eternal pain and agony of “Hell”.
It is such a simple thing to beat the plague of eternity in Hell.
First, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner deserving of the consequences already mentioned. God’s word clearly tells us that…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There are no exceptions other than Jesus Christ who became “sin for us”. In that while we were yet sinners, God sent his only begotten son to die for us that all who believed on him might have eternal life. So Second we must accept Jesus Christ, the son of God as our Lord and Savior.
Next we are called to commit our lives to God, through Christ and the renewal of our lives begins in that very moment. We start to change from a totally self centered, self serving, self motivated creature to one seeking to serve others above ourselves, striving to accomplish God’s good and perfect will as HE makes it known to us in all situations in which we find ourselves, and continually putting forward the “Good News” of Jesus Christ in all our endeavors and contacts.
If this is a desire of your heart to accept Jesus Christ or to recommit yourself to Christ we ask you to come forward, we would love to pray for you.
Please remember all of our brothers, sisters, friends, and families effected by the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and pray that God receive all glory and honor for the good things that have come about in spite of the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
Let’s pray for our leadership, our servicemen and women striving to right the terrible wrong that was visited upon us a year ago.
If you have any prayers, please let us know. We would love to pray for you and your loved ones, that you may witness God’s peace among the plagues that will surely come our ways in this life.
Closing Prayer.
September 11, 2002 is soon approaching. On that day, please wear red,
white, and blue to work or school to show your support for those who
lost their lives on 9~11~01 and to honor the heroes who worked to save
them and the families left behind. At noon your time on September 11,
2002, no matter where you are or what you are doing, stop, put your
hand on your heart, and say the Pledge of Allegiance~ out loud or to
yourself and say a prayer for our nation. If all of us do this
together in every time zone around the world, we will have a powerful
chain of prayer surrounding us.
Please keep this going to your friends and family. By September 11,
2002 hopefully enough people will have read this and will join
together in unity.
God Bless the
U.S.A.
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"
