James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE TOWERS CRUMBLE
Message by Dr. James O. Davis – Cutting Edge International
A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO
AMERICA’S NATIONAL EMERGENCY
September 11, 2001 will be the bloodiest day in United States history. Our two biggest and tallest office towers in New York City were obliterated and the Pentagon, a symbol of our military authority, was ripped open like an egg carton. Our commercial jetliners were turned into weapons of mass murder, and we had to stop doing things we always do, from trading stocks, to shopping at the local grocery store or mall, even to going to Disney World.
On this day, people ran through the ash-covered streets of lower Manhattan like extras in a nuclear winter fantasy, chased by a mighty cloud of dust and debris from the office towers they once occupied. Others, many on fire, jumped from 30, 40, and even 80 stories. One couple, among many of them, hands as they leapt. It is estimated that more than 10,000 men, women, and children died within hours.
Even if September 11, 2001, was not our deadliest day, it was surely our worst. Americans are talking of a “second Pearl Harbor” and “an act of war,” but even those comparisons falter. The events of this time are “unspeakable” and are “incomparable.”
What do we do when the towers crumble? What do we do when horrific events come to our personal lives and to our nation? What is a biblical response to this national calamity? In days like these we are reminded what Isaiah said centuries ago:
In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. (Isa. 30: 25-26).
In the midst of the national tragedy, we humbly suggest several biblical responses. First,
WE NEED TO REPENT OF OUR PAST PATH OF SIN (Isa. 30: 1-14)
Our choices have consequences. Our rebellion has results. In many ways, the results of the recent days are a reflection of the crumbling foundation of America. It is time to reflect and repent. It is time to rend our hearts and not our garments.
We need to repent for America’s stubbornness in rejecting God, His Word, and for heaping up sin upon sin (v.1). We have carried plans that are not pleasing to the Lord. We have formed ungodly alliances that are most dishonorable to God. As a nation, we have heard God’s words over and over, and yet we have ignored them. We need to plead with God to forgive us and restore in us a holy fear and reverence for God’s commands. It is time to repent of our past path of sin.
We need to repent of trusting in man and not consulting God for his help, refuge and protection (vv.2-8). We have trusted more in our land more than Lord, more in our gold and silver, than in our God and Savior. It has brought shame and disgrace upon our nation. We cannot expect the Lord to protect us until we turn back to Him. God, please forgive us, cleanse us and help us to trust you. We need to trust more in our Creator than in creation, more in God’s Word than in man’s wisdom. It has been said, “God is our greatest hope and our greatest threat.” It is time to repent of our past path of sin.
We need to repent for America’s rebellion, deceit, and unwillingness to listen to the instructions of the Lord (vv. 9-14). Our rebellion is bringing us destruction and allowing our enemies to triumph over us. We need to pray that God will restore the walls of his protection around our nation. Over the years, God has sent his message and his messengers, but as a nation we have chosen to listen to the truth. We must always remember that facts may make us smart, but truth will set us free. We are thankful for the Statute Of Liberty in New York City’s harbor, but we also need a Statue of Responsibity in San Francisco’s harbor.” We need to pray that God will grant to us continued liberty, combined with responsibility. Second, when the towers crumble,
WE NEED TO REMEMBER OUR PRESENT PROBLEMS (Isa. 30: 15-18)
This national tragedy provides an opportunity for the Church to serve our people. This is a defining moment for the Church. We need to bind up the wounded, minister to the broken hearted, encourage the despondent, and lead people to Jesus Christ. We must instruct, illustrate, and inspire others by our words, works, witness, and worship in times of great, heart wrenching tragedy.
We need to move from a natural response to a supernatural response. We must resist the temptation to step down from the heavenly level to a human level. As Christians, our goal is not “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” God says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength . . .” (Isa. 30: 15).
We must remember that our strength is found waiting on the Lord. We must not try to flee from our problems. Instead of trying to run from our enemies, we must run to the Lord. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isa. 30: 18).
What are some practical responses that we can apply in the days ahead? First, we need to pray for divine intervention from God. We need to pray for those who govern our nation. We need to bombard heaven with intercession, requesting that God grant our national, political leaders, discernment and direction. We need to pray for the victims who are suffering in hospitals and for families who have lost their love ones through this horrific event. We need to pray for peace in our world.
Second, we need to provide compassionate ministry in behalf of our Lord. We encourage you to get involved in the lives of people who are hurting as a result this terrorism. People will need shelter, clothing, food and water, money, and counseling. If you know of someone who has been affected by the most recent events, then reach out to them, do not wait for them to reach out to you. We must be proactive in these days. Third, when the towers crumble,
WE NEED TO RECLAIM OUR PRECIOUS PROMISES (Isa. 30: 19-33)
God can turn tragedy into triumph! It is time to reclaim the promises of God. If we turn to Him, our weeping will become singing (v. 19). God desires to answer our prayers. In the midst of national calamity, God is going to send us godly teachers to instruct us in all aspects of our lives. If we listen carefully, we will hear the voice of the Lord saying, “Whether you turn right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’”(vv. 20-21).
We need to reclaim the promises of national revival. We must shake ourselves from all spiritual sleep and wake up to the awesome presence of God. God is sounding the final alarm. We must not hit snooze button and go back to sleep again.
We need to pray as the psalmist prayed: “Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation. (Ps. 85: 6-7). We need to believe that through these events that God will spark the flames of revival and spread them by the wind of his Holy Spirit.
God desires to move us away from our national idolatry (v. 22) to prosper our nation once again (vv. 23-24). He longs to bless to America. As stated earlier, God’s Word says, “In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted (vv. 25-26).
We believe that God is in the midst of shaking the world in order to bring glory to his name (vv. 27-28). The Holy Spirit will give us a song to sing in the night (v. 29). Even though the towers may crumble, God will cause his majestic voice to be heard throughout the earth (vv. 30-33).
CONCLUSION
The events of September 11, 2001 have shocked and rocked the world. The forces of evil have invaded the city and country that has welcomed the world with the great promise of freedom, safety, and security. In these horrific times, we must respond by faith, not fear; in hope, not despair; with love, not hate; with humility, not pride; with action, not apathy.
When King Jehoshaphat was told a vast army was coming against him, he was alarmed and immediately determined to seek the Lord. He called his people together and prayed the following prayer. We encourage you to pray:
“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you . . . if calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before the temple that bears your Names and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us . . . we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
Then, the Word of God says, “Then they stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice . . . . Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness . . . saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever!’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mt. Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20: 19-22)
When the towers crumble, we need to repent of our past path of sin, we need to remember our present problems, and we need to reclaim our precious promises.
