Sermon Central
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Where Was God
Contributed by Richard White on Sep 25, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: It is a year now, as we look back at the events of 9/11/01 there is still one lingering question on the minds of people.
Where Was God?
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Our country, founded on Godly principles, has been slandered, persecuted, and attacked. Some events of our history have left a profound impact. Who among us will ever forget the events of April 20, 1998? A couple of High school teenagers calling themselves the trench coat mafia, entered a Littleton, Colorado High School and opened fire on unsuspecting classmates and teachers. How for one student, Cassie Bernall, when asked if she believed in God and upon professing her faith in God and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior, she was shot dead. Earlier that year, in Kentucky, while a group of middle school boys and girls were gathering for a “meet you at the pole” prayer meeting were gunned down by another student carrying a semi-auto rifle. How about Wedgwood Texas, at a Wednesday night Bible Study, another man entered the church with a pipe bomb and semi-automatic weapons, opened fire on children and adults? Who of our older members of the congregation will ever forget where they were when on the morning of Dec 7, 1941 the bombing of Pearl Harbor. How about those of us of my generation, where we were when we heard the news on that November afternoon, coming from Dallas Texas, president John Kennedy had been assassinated. Throughout our history many such attacks had occurred for our way of life. But probably none had an impact as the events of 9-11-01. Can you remember where you were when you heard the news? The first plane had crashed into the WTC, seeing the smoke billowing from the tower, minutes later seeing the second plane crash into second tower. How about the news of the one that crashed into the Pentagon? Only to be followed by the one that crashed in PA. It was as if for those minutes the world had stood still. I remember hearing the newscaster saying, “We are under attack, and we are at war.” Yet the cry that came from some was “Why has God abandoned us, Where is God?
Where was God then: Same place he was when Adam and Eve fell in the Garden, calling out their name, getting ready to cover their nakedness and redeem their sin.
Where was God then: Same place he was when Joseph was laying in a dung prison. An innocent man suffering because of jealousy, envy, falsely accused. Yet upon facing his brothers he could say, “You meant it for evil, yet God meant it for good.” Out of jealousy Joseph was sold as slave, out of revenge for being spurned he was falsely accused of rape, and out of forgetfulness of the butler, he remained in prison. God was able to take Joseph every step of the way, preparing him for a greater task than saving Egypt, the task of showing his brothers forgiveness and love. Molding him into a man who would forgive those who trespassed against him. Yes I am sure Joseph wondered where God was.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
How about Shadrach, Meschah, and Abendego? Where was God then? Right there in the fiery furnace with them. Nebuchadnezzar meant it for evil, yet God meant it for good.
How about Daniel when Darius had him put in the Lions den? He was there shutting the mouths of the Lions. Both of these resulted in national revival.
Where was God on 9/11? Same place he was when Jesus hung on the cross and cried out My God My God why have you forsaken me? Waiting the redemption of all mankind.
Where was God when Nero slaughtered the Christians, putting them in the skins of wild animals and set starving dogs on them, bringing them into the Coliseum to be slaughtered. God has throughout history used the schemes of evil men to bring about national revival and the redemption of man.
Where was God? Same place he was on 9/11 getting ready to receive them home
Where was God on 9/11 maybe this picture drawn by a school age child on 9/15 will answer. He is at the same place calling out to you and me to come to HIM. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Gen. 50:20) From 9-11 to the end of the year, Standard publishing reported over 700 baptisms, and that is just from the churches that report to them. Many young people, teenagers got serious about their walk with God, many adults recommitted their lives, got serious about their walk with God as well. Since 9-11 revival has swept crossed our land that is how God has used the events of 9-11 and will continue to do so.
